Comparison of obstetrical risk in adolescent primiparas at tertiary referral centres in Tanzania and Austria

Abstract

Purpose. Adolescent childbearing is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Deliveries in adolescent primiparas at an Austrian and an East African tertiary referral centre were compared to reveal differences in obstetric outcome.

Methods. A total of 186 primiparas delivering at an age of 17 or less between 1999 and 2005 at the Austrian centre were compared with 209 adolescent primiparas who delivered between 2005 and 2007 at the African centre. The type of delivery and complications were studied.

Results. Adolescent primiparas accounted for 1.2% of the overall obstetric population at the Austrian centre, as compared with 2.3% at the East African centre (p < 0.01). When comparing the adolescents' outcome at the Austrian centre with the outcome of 22–27 years old primiparas at the same institution, we noted that the rates of adverse obstetric outcomes were higher among the adult group. However, at the East African centre the opposite was observed.

Conclusions. In contrast to the results of Africa, data from Austria show that the obstetric outcome in adolescent pregnancies can be favourable. However, socioeconomic considerations have to be taken into account. Education and health knowledge seem critical for young females particularly in low-resource settings like East Africa.