Prevalence and factors associated with antepartum depression among adolescent women in the assin north district of Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, depression is a leading cause of disease-related disability among women. In low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), the prevalence rate of antepartum depression is estimated to range between 15% and 57% and even higher in adolescent antepartum women. Although a number of studies have shown that depression is common in adolescent pregnancies and has a prevalence rate between 28% and 67% among adolescent mothers, there currently exists no literature on depression among adolescent pregnant women in Ghana. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of antepartum depression and identify the factors associated with it among pregnant adolescent women. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was adopted by randomly recruiting 220 adolescent pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics in five selected health facilities in five communities in the Assin North District of Ghana. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Data analysis was performed using Stata version 14. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. A chi-square analysis was conducted to identify the association between independent and dependent variables. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the independent variables that were significantly associated with the dependent variable. In all analyses, p-values ≤ 0.05 were deemed statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The results indicated prevalence of depression was 38.6% using the EPDS cut-off ≥ 13. Respondents who were cohabiting were less likely to experiencing antepartum depression compared to those who were single (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.20-0.64, p = 0.001). Also, Respondents who had completed Junior High School had a lower likelihood of experiencing antepartum depression compared to those who had no formal education (AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05-0.76, p = 0.019). Respondents who perceived pregnancy-related items to be costly had higher odds of experiencing antepartum depression (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.02-4.12, p = 0.042). Lastly, adolescent pregnant women who reported that pregnancy-related items are costly were likely to experience antepartum depression compared to those who did not report such costs (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.20-3.75, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the importance of a multi-pronged strategy for combating antepartum depression in adolescents and improving the overall health and well-being of pregnant adolescents. Considering that adolescence is a transitional period occasioned by several bio-psycho-social challenges, setting up systems to ensure that young girls are motivated and supported to stay in school will enhance their economic prospects and improve their standards of life while providing psycho-social support will benefit their health and general well-being.

Barriers to pregnancy prevention for adolescents in rural Haiti: perceptions of healthcare providers.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about healthcare providers' (HCPs) contraceptive views for adolescents in Haiti, who experience high rates of unintended pregnancy. We sought to describe HCPs' perspectives on barriers and facilitators to contraceptive care delivery in rural Haiti. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey and qualitative interviews with HCPs in two rural communities in Haiti from 08/2021-03/2022. We assessed demographics, clinical practice behaviors and explored contraception perspectives according to Theory of Planned Behavior constructs: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (e.g., people's perceptions of their ability to perform a given behavior, barriers and facilitators of a behavior).15-17 We used descriptive statistics to report proportions and responses to Likert scale and multiple-choice questions. Guided by content analysis, we analyzed interview transcripts through thematic inductive coding and team debriefing. RESULTS: Among 58 respondents, 90% (n = 52) were female and 53% (n = 31) were nurses. Most reported always (n = 16, 28%) or very often (n = 21, 36%) obtaining a sexual history for adolescents. A majority agreed/strongly agreed that clinicians should discuss pregnancy prevention (n = 45, 78%), high-risk sexual behaviors (n = 40, 69%), and should prescribe contraception (n = 41, 71%) to adolescents. The most frequently cited provider-level barriers (i.e., significant or somewhat of a barrier) included insufficient contraception knowledge (n = 44, 77%) and time (n = 37, 64%). HCPs were concerned about barriers at the patient-level (e.g. adolescents' fear of parental notification [n = 37, 64%], adolescents will give inaccurate information about sexual behaviors [n = 25, 43%]) and system-level (e.g. resistance to providing care from administration [n = 33, 57%]). In interviews (n = 17), HCPs generally supported contraception care for adolescents. Many HCPs echoed our quantitative findings on concerns about privacy and confidentiality. HCPs reported concerns about lack of contraception education leading to misconceptions, and community and parental judgement. HCPs expressed interest in further contraception training and resources and noted the importance of providing youth-friendly contraceptive care. CONCLUSIONS: While HCPs support contraceptive care, we identified actionable barriers to improve care for adolescents in rural Haiti. Future efforts should include increasing HCP knowledge and training, community and parent coalition building to increase contraception support and offering youth-friendly contraceptive care to offset risk for related adverse health outcomes in adolescents in rural Haiti.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy against adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy and intimate partner violence (IPV) are major public health issues that are linked to poor health outcomes particularly during pregnancy. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), previous studies on IPV during pregnancy have primarily focused on adults. This review examines the available evidence on adolescents' experience of IPV during pregnancy in SSA. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: We searched multiple databases for articles that met our inclusion criteria. Included studies investigated IPV during pregnancy, including prevalence, risk factors and health outcomes among ever-pregnant adolescents aged 10-19 years old or younger in SSA. Studies were peer-reviewed studies from SSA, quantitative and/or qualitative; and published in English regardless of the year of publication. RESULTS: Nine studies out of 570 abstracts screened, published between 2007 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy among adolescents in SSA ranged from 8.3% to 41%. Mental health symptoms, particularly depression, and anxiety, were associated with adolescent IPV during pregnancy and qualitatively linked to poor coping strategies when dealing with IPV. CONCLUSION: This review found evidence of a linkage between pregnancy and IPV during pregnancy among adolescents. Given the long-term negative effects of IPV during pregnancy on adolescents and children, this conclusion points to the critical need for developing interventions to improve IPV detection during pregnancy in SSA among adolescents to interrupt its continuation into adulthood.

Integrating trauma- and violence-informed care for adolescent mothers in Rwanda: a qualitative study with community health workers.

INTRODUCTION: In Rwanda, maternal community health workers play a critical role to improving maternal, newborn and child health, but little is known about their specific experiences with adolescent mothers, who face unique challenges, including trauma, ongoing violence, stigma, ostracism, mental health issues, barriers within the healthcare system, and lack of access to the social determinants of health. This study explored the experiences of maternal community health workers when caring for adolescent mothers in Rwanda to inform the delivery of trauma- and violence-informed care in community maternal services. METHODS: Interpretive Description methodology was used to understand the experiences of 12 community health workers purposively recruited for interviews due to their management roles. To gain additional insights about the context, seven key informants were also interviewed. FINDINGS: Maternal community health workers provided personalized support to adolescent mothers through the provision of continuity of care, acting as a liaison, engaging relationally and tailoring home visits. They reported feeling passionate about their work, supporting each other, and receiving support from their leaders as facilitators in caring for adolescent mothers. Challenges in their work included handling disclosures of violence, dealing with adolescent mothers' financial constraints, difficulties accessing these young mothers, and transportation issues. Adolescent mothers' circumstances are generally difficult, leading to self-reports of vicarious trauma among this sample of workers. CONCLUSION: Maternal community health workers play a key role in addressing the complex needs of adolescent mothers in Rwanda. However, they face individual and structural challenges highlighting the complexities of their work. To sustain and enhance their roles, it is imperative for government and other stakeholders to invest in resources, mentorship, and support. Additionally, training in equity-oriented approaches, particularly trauma- and violence-informed care, is essential to ensure safe and effective care for adolescent mothers and to mitigate vicarious trauma among maternal community health workers.

Tanzanian adolescents' attitudes toward abortion: innovating video vignettes in survey research on health topics.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to pilot an innovative cartoon video vignette survey methodology to learn about young people's perspectives on abortion and sexual relationships in Tanzania. The Animating Children's Views methodology used videos shown on tablets to engage young people in conversations. Such conversations are complicated because abortion is highly stigmatized, inaccessible, and illegal in Tanzania. METHODS: The cartoon video vignette methodology was conducted as a part of a quantitative survey using tablet computers. Hypothetical situations and euphemistic expressions were tested in order to engage adolescents on sensitive topics in low-risk ways. Qualitative interviews and focus groups validated and further explored the perspectives of the young respondents. RESULTS: Results indicate that 12-17 year-olds usually understand euphemistic expressions for abortion and are aware of social stigma and contradictory norms surrounding abortion from as young as age twelve. Despite the risks involved with abortion, this study finds adolescents sometimes view abortion as a reasonable solution to allow a girl to remain in school. Additional findings show that as adolescents wrestle with how to respond to a schoolgirl's pregnancy, they are considering both the (un)affordability of healthcare services and also expectations for gender roles. CONCLUSIONS: Digital data collection, such as the Animating Children's Views cartoon video vignettes used in this study, allows researchers to better understand girls' and boys' own perspectives on their experiences and reproductive health.

The Animating Children's Views project used cartoon video vignettes to collect quantitative and qualitative data on girls' and boys' (infrequently included) perspectives about this sensitive topic as these young people aged into and figured out how to navigate sexual maturity in rural and urban Tanzania. This novel survey technique leveraged digital technology to better engage young people's perspectives about sensitive health topics. Despite the risks involved with abortion, this study finds adolescents sometimes view abortion as a reasonable solution to allow a girl to remain in school. Additional findings show that as adolescents wrestle with how to respond to a schoolgirl's pregnancy, they are considering both the (un)affordability of healthcare services and also expectations for gender roles. We argue that digital data collection allows survey research to include girls and boys, to better understand how reproductive health outcomes are inextricably linked to their future lives.

Adolescent pregnancy amongst displaced women in Bogota: playing between the barbs of structural violence-a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Colombia has high numbers of internally displaced people, forced to migrate due to the conflict. 1 in 3 displaced women undergo pregnancy during adolescence, compared to around 1 in 5 in the non-displaced population, alongside health and resource inequalities between these groups. There is limited qualitative information available from the perspectives of displaced women experiencing adolescent pregnancy. This research explores how structural violence may feature in their experiences. METHODS: Qualitative methods were used. Participants were recruited with purposive sampling, using key informants and snowball sampling technique. 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted in Ciudad Bolívar, Bogotá, involving 11 displaced women who began childbearing age 15-19 in the past 10 years, and 4 participants' mothers. Data was analysed using the theoretical framework of structural violence, and emergent themes categorised using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Pregnancy was considered advantageous in many ways, but this was contradicted by resulting disadvantages that ensued. Structural violence was embedded in life stories, manifesting in poverty and difficulties accessing reliable income, poor access to healthcare and education following pregnancy. Institutional and interpersonal discrimination confounded these challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy during adolescence was a contradictory experience, representing both a safety net and a trap due to a complex interplay of structural and cultural violence in everyday survival. Policymakers must consider the importance of the context surrounding adolescent pregnancy and address systematic disadvantages affecting women in these positions.

The violent conflict in Colombia has left many people forced to leave their homes and become 'internally displaced'. Internally displaced women are more likely to become pregnant during their adolescence than non-displaced women. This work tries to understand more about the everyday lives of displaced women who experience adolescent pregnancy, through interviews. The interviews were analysed and results interpreted using the theory of 'structural violence'. Structural violence describes how social structures such as racism, sexism, war and poverty determine life choices, leading to suffering and inequality. The work found that pregnancy and motherhood in adolescence for displaced women was positive in many ways by bringing purpose, status and companionship. However, these women also experienced many challenges after pregnancy, such as exclusion from education and secure employment and difficulty accessing healthcare. This demonstrated that structural violence features in multiple interconnected forms in the daily lives of displaced adolescent mothers. The work urges policymakers to appreciate the complexity of context surrounding adolescent pregnancy and motherhood, and to address the structural disadvantages facing women in these situations.

Complex journeys of adolescents after induced abortion: A qualitative systematic review.

PROBLEM: Adolescents face unique challenges in accessing sexual healthcare, particularly regarding induced abortion experiences. Prior research, often quantitative or biased towards young adults, overlooks this. This review aims to address adolescents' specific post-abortion experiences to inform comprehensive reproductive healthcare needs. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Qualitative and mixed-methods studies exploring the experiences of adolescents following induced abortion were included. Studies reporting these experiences from third-person perspectives were excluded. SAMPLE: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase) were searched from the databases' inception through March 2024. Of the 2834 articles retrieved, 45 studies were included in this review. RESULTS: Using a meta-synthesis approach combining Sandelowski & Barroso's qualitative metasummary with Braun & Clarke's thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: Post-abortion experiences and emotions, Social dynamics and support, and Life post-abortion and future perspectives. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who underwent abortion faced physical and emotional challenges, adopted various coping strategies, and had mixed experiences with social support and healthcare providers. To address these challenges, the provision of comprehensive reproductive health information, access to safe and legal abortion options, and support for their physical, social, and emotional well-being is necessary. Healthcare providers must ensure that adolescents are equipped with necessary skills to navigate their reproductive health journeys with informed choices and confidence. IMPLICATIONS: Future research exploring adolescents' experiences, considering cultural beliefs, involving multiple stakeholders, and conducting longitudinal studies, is warranted. Healthcare providers should implement practice changes, including providing accurate information, offering tailored mental health support, and undergoing adolescent-friendly training, to enhance care for adolescents.

Trauma Informed Care in the Prevention of High-Risk Sexual Behaviors and Unplanned Pregnancy in Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders.

Although teen pregnancy and birth rates have declined over the decades, all adolescentpopulations are at risk. Disparities among adolescent pregnancies still exist, including increased risk and rates of unplanned pregnancy among vulnerable adolescents, including those with a mental health diagnosis.Adolescent girls with mental health disorders are notably at higher risk and are three timesmore likely to become pregnant than those without a mental illness. Adolescents who have experienced trauma and have a mental health diagnosis are much more likely to engage in high-risk sexual activity, to not participate in contraceptive use, and to become pregnant than their counterparts.Using Trauma Informed Care (TIC) to assess mental health diagnoses, high-risk sexual behaviors, and risk for unplanned pregnancy among adolescent populations can be an effective approach for primary prevention. There is increased expectation for clinicians to practice TIC and to establish relationships with patients while understanding how mental health diagnoses can impact health behaviors. The focus of this paper is to examine the effects of adolescent unplanned pregnancy, identify the increased risk for adolescents with mental health disorders, and discuss general methods for TIC in clinical practice.

Expérience des adolescentes enceintes depuis le processus décisionnel de maintenir la grossesse : une étude qualitative.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant teenagers are at a higher risk of physical and psychosocial health issues, and although most pregnancies are unplanned, few studies delve into the process behind their decision to continue the pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the determinants of the pregnancy experience for teenagers and to understand the decision-making process regarding the continuation of pregnancy from the perspective of teenage girls. RESULTS: Key elements of the decision-making process include giving meaning to the pregnancy and anticipating the reactions of others upon announcing this decision. The pregnancy experience is linked to the support available to the mother and a rapid transition into adulthood. DISCUSSION: The experience of being pregnant during adolescence is a passage into a new reality that involves several difficulties and fears. The decision to maintain the pregnancy is made in solitude. The appropriation of pregnancy during the decision-making process appears to influence the degree to which teenagers seek out information, ask for support, and adopt health-conscious behaviors.

[Adolescent mothers: the ambivalence of the desire for a child and the specific nature of maternity center care]. / Les mères adolescentes : ambivalence du désir d'enfant et spécificité des prises en charge en centre maternel.

In France, teenage pregnancy has remained a relatively moderate and stable phenomenon for several decades. Public discourse on young people's sexuality and the issue of teenage pregnancies focuses overwhelmingly on two themes: contraception and voluntary termination of pregnancy, leaving in the shadows the reality of the experiences of these young under-age mothers. Thus, one of the major challenges of support in maternity centers is to ensure the coexistence of psychic movements linked to adolescent reorganization and those linked to the birth of motherhood. With this in mind, we have been able to highlight the importance of care structures for these mothers, acting as a substitute family figure for these young people. This support seems to have fostered the creation of more appropriate conditions for the establishment of the first mother-baby bonds in these initially very precarious psychological contexts.

[Teenage pregnancy: when digital social networks support becoming a mother]. / Grossesse à l'adolescence : quand les réseaux sociaux numériques viennent supporter le devenir mère.

The onset of pregnancy during adolescence brings with it upheavals for the body, identity, family and society. This particular context can make some teenagers psychopathologically fragile, while others adapt perfectly. When these mothers-to-be receive support, their adjustment to pregnancy seems to be facilitated. At present, it seems easy for teenagers to maintain contacts and thus benefit from a form of support on digital social networks. Recently discussed in the literature, the latter could represent a source of social support in this type of pregnancy, but also of support for the identity process of becoming a mother.

[Teenage pregnancy and parenthood, a review of the literature]. / Grossesses et parentalités adolescentes, une revue de la littérature.

Teenage parenthood involves a dual transition to adulthood and parenthood. A small-scale phenomenon, there remains a gap between statistical reality and social perception. The media and politicians take up the issue as a synonym for socio-psychological difficulties. The literature points in particular to the consequences of these maternities on the future of mothers, children and their relationships. However, some studies qualify the literature by identifying different types of teenage pregnancy and parenthood profiles.

[Adolescent parenthood: how can caregivers provide support in a parent-baby day hospital?] / Parentalités adolescentes : quels accompagnements possibles par le soignant au sein d'un hôpital de jour parents-bébé ?

Adolescent parenthood is a risky situation for the mental health of young people and for the development of infants. Yet adherence to psychological care remains difficult at this stage of life, notably because of the insecurity of attachment bonds often present in these young people. The "Les Oursons" parent-baby day hospital is presented, and clinical cases involving adolescent parents are discussed. They illustrate the particular interest of a global approach to father, mother and baby, and underline the opportunities to anchor initial psychological care for each. Network and community care are also interesting avenues to explore.

Safeguarding in practice: anticipating, minimising and mitigating risk in teenage pregnancy research in urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.

Safeguarding challenges in global health research include sexual abuse and exploitation, physical and psychological abuse, financial exploitation and neglect. Intersecting individual identities (such as gender and age) shape vulnerability to risk. Adolescents, who are widely included in sexual and reproductive health research, may be particularly vulnerable. Sensitive topics like teenage pregnancy may lead to multiple risks. We explored potential safeguarding risks and mitigation strategies when studying teenage pregnancies in informal urban settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Risk mapping was initiated by the research team that had prolonged engagement with adolescent girls and teen mothers. The team mapped potential safeguarding risks for both research participants and research staff due to, and unrelated to, the research activity. Mitigation measures were agreed for each risk. The draft risk map was validated by community members and coresearchers in a workshop. During implementation, safeguarding risks emerged across the risk map areas and are presented as case studies. Risks to the girls included intimate partner violence because of a phone provided by the study; male participants faced potential disclosure of their perceived criminal activity (impregnating teenage girls); and researchers faced psychological and physical risks due to the nature of the research. These cases shed further light on safeguarding as a key priority area for research ethics and implementation. Our experience illustrates the importance of mapping safeguarding risks and strengthening safeguarding measures throughout the research lifecycle. We recommend co-developing and continuously updating a safeguarding map to enhance safety, equity and trust between the participants, community and researchers.

Experiences of Food Insecurity Among Pregnant Adolescents and Adolescent Mothers in Ghana: A Photovoice Method.

Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) remains a major public health problem globally. However, there is limited information about adolescents' experiences. The current study explored FI experiences of pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers in Cape Coast, Ghana using a Photovoice method. Methods: This study recruited 34 pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers from communities in Cape Coast, Ghana. Each participated in a training session then was provided prompts to take photos that portrayed food access barriers, facilitators and coping strategies. In a debrief session, each participant selected two pictures they took and explained the image, followed by a group discussion of the selected photos. Debrief sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim to develop themes using a theory-driven approach. Results: Most participants reported several or many experiences with FI (64.7%) in the previous month. Participants discussed money, unwanted pregnancy, and unstable work as barriers to obtaining food and working, selling goods, and family support as facilitators to obtaining food. Coping strategies mentioned include providing services to others, borrowing food and goods, meal stretching, pawning personal items and trading. Conclusion: The FI experience of this population is complex; interventions, including trade training or school retention, should be multifaceted.

Factors contributing to rise in teenage pregnancy in Sekhukhune district, Limpopo province.

BACKGROUND:  The Department of Health in South Africa has reported an alarming total of 90 037 teenage girls between the ages of 10 years and 19 years who gave birth from March 2021 to April 2022, across all provinces and districts. The rise in teenage pregnancy is of serious concern as adolescents girls are more likely to experience difficult pregnancies and deliveries which could lead to detrimental effects on their health. OBJECTIVES:  The study aimed to explore and describe factors contributing to the increase in teenage pregnancy in the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo. METHOD:  The study was conducted in the healthcare facilities of Sekhukhune area. A qualitative, exploratory design was followed. Participants were purposively selected, and data were gathered through face-to-face individual interviews. Data analysis employed Tesch's inductive, descriptive coding method. RESULTS:  Negligence, peer pressure, ambiguity, choice, lack of contraceptive use, and lack of family attachment were identified as exacerbating factors in the district's surge in teenage pregnancy. CONCLUSION:  To reduce teen pregnancy, it is crucial to promote contraception, enhance cooperation between schools and the government, involve families in sexual and reproductive health discussions, prioritise a supportive home environment, advocate for child support grants, revitalise school health services, and empower teenagers to make informed choices and resist peer pressure.Contribution: The study will provide guidance to policy makers and other stakeholders in developing appropriate programmes to address the problem and improve the health and socioeconomic status of adolescents in rural areas. This will reduce healthcare costs associated with complications and premature birth.

The effect of a peer's teen pregnancy on sexual behavior.

We examine whether a friend or older sibling's teen pregnancy impacts one's own sexual behavior. Employing an event study design and rich retrospective data on sexual activity, we find that those who observe a peer's teen pregnancy change sexual behavior after the pregnancy ends to put themselves at lower risk of their own teen pregnancy; specifically, they are less likely to have unprotected sex and have fewer sexual partners in the year following the end of the teen pregnancy. We find that females are more likely to change their sexual behavior compared to males, and the effects are primarily driven by peer live births, as opposed to other pregnancies. Ultimately, we find a slight decline in the likelihood of one's own teen pregnancy, though estimates are noisy. Our work suggests that education campaigns that provide a realistic portrayal of teen parenthood may be an effective tool for impacting teen behavior.

Identify mental health needs of adolescent pregnant women: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore adolescent pregnant women related to their pregnancy experience about mental health needs during pregnancy for the prevention of depression during pregnancy. METHODS: This research is a qualitative study design with a phenomenological approach. Data collection using interviews (in-depth interviews). This study involved 18 participants consisting of 12 pregnant women aged 15-19 years and 6 midwives who work at the health center. The criteria for informants of pregnant women are pregnant with Trimester I to III, age 15-19 years and not experiencing complications of pregnancy. RESULTS: Based on interviews conducted with informants, five themes were obtained about the experiences and needs of pregnant women in adolescence. These themes are (1). Risk of depression, (2). Social and family support needs, (3). Needs of mental health services, (4). Obstacles for midwives in providing mental health services, and (5). needs of mental health information media. CONCLUSIONS: Five needs of teenage pregnant women are factors that can support mental health to prevent depression during pregnancy.

Parenting experiences and outcomes among former adolescent mothers: A mixed methods study.

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine parenting outcomes and experiences over time among marginalized adolescent mothers enrolled in randomized clinical trials (RCT) between 2002 and 2016 testing Minding the Baby® (MTB), an early home visiting program. The quantitative phase examined associations between measures of maternal experiences and parenting outcomes from 71 participants 2-8 years since RCT completion. MTB mothers reported less hostile parenting and fewer child behavior problems. The sequential qualitative phase involved interviews with a subsample (n = 31) and revealed six themes about their personal and parenting maturation. Through integration of quantitative and qualitative data, we generated metainferences, revealing a nuanced understanding of participants' experiences. Integrated findings revealed the complex personal and parenting experiences among former adolescent mothers during their developmental phases of emerging and early adulthood. Findings inform clinical and research approaches to promote personal growth and positive parenting outcomes over time among women who began childbearing in adolescence.

Healthcare professionals' experience of teenage pregnancy and motherhood in Haiti.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals' experience of pregnant and motherhood in adolescence in Haiti. METHODS: The methodology for collecting and analyzing qualitative data was based on John Dewey's social survey. The study was conducted in nine health institutions in the North and North-East departments of Haiti from October 2020 to January 2021. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 15 healthcare professionals. All interviews were audio-recorded. The recordings were listened to carefully and transcribed in verbatim form. After checking and validation, the verbatims in Word format were exported to QDA Miner software version 6.0.5 for coding. The data were analyzed using Paillé and Mucchielli thematic analyses. RESULTS: Health professionals such as gynecologists, nurses, midwives, nursing assistants, matrons and health workers took part in the study. These study participants indicate that teenage pregnancy and motherhood are social and public health problems whose negative consequences affect teenage girls, children, healthcare professionals, the healthcare system, and Haitian society in general. The services offered to adolescent girls are medical, educational, psychological, economic, and social in nature. When caring for pregnant adolescents during the transition to motherhood, healthcare professionals face many challenges that are linked to the socio-economic status and physiological reality of adolescents, as well as the healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: Programs involving home care visits should also be set up to offer ongoing support to pregnant or parenting teenagers. The distribution of food aid or materials such as clothing, hygiene products and baby kits should also be considered.