Reproductive health status of adolescent mothers in an Iranian setting: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where millions of women give birth before the age of 18, the reproductive health status of married adolescent mothers, including family planning, sexual, psychosocial, and maternal health, remains a significant and recurring phenomenon. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the reproductive health status of married adolescent mothers who sought treatment at Ardabil health care centers in 2019. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in five health centers in Ardabil, Iran. This research included 312 married adolescent mothers who were under 19 years old. Health workers who asked questions of each participant completed a demographic questionnaire and the Reproductive Health Assessment Scale for Married Adolescent Women, and all data were self-reported. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to determine risk factors associated with reproductive health scores. The data was examined using statistical software (SPSS version 20). RESULTS: The mean age (years) of the respondents was 16.41 ± 0.85, the mean age of their husbands was 24.18 ± 2.29, and the mean age of their marriage was 15.06 ± 1.15. In this study, adolescent mothers had an average reproductive health score of 63.78 ± 11.06. There was a significant association between reproductive health status and age, education, husband's age and education, and contraceptive methods among married adolescent mothers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The research findings indicated that adolescent mothers had an average level of reproductive health. Several socio-demographic characteristics, including age, education, gravida, and contraception, were linked to reproductive health scores. Programmers and policymakers should prioritize improving the reproductive health of adolescent mothers through education and increasing women's and spouses' knowledge and awareness.

In LMICs, the health status of adolescent mothers remains unstudied in a systematic way. This study aims to evaluate the reproductive health of married adolescent mothers. A cross-sectional study of adolescent mothers was conducted at five Ardabil health centers. A total of 312 adolescent mothers under the age of 19 were selected to complete a survey regarding their health and contraceptive awareness. The mothers' reproductive health status was rated as average. Age, education, husband's age and education, gravida, and contraceptive methods significantly impacted reproductive health. Increased education among women and their spouses, as well as pregnancy prevention, appear to be essential for safeguarding the health of adolescent mothers. This study recommends conducting qualitative research on reproductive health and contraception in the cultural context.

Developing and Psychometric Evaluation of a Reproductive Health Assessment Scale for Married Adolescent Women: An Exploratory Mixed-Method Study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent women's reproductive health is often neglected despite the high prevalence of early marriage. Since no appropriate scales were found to assess the health status of adolescent women, this study aimed to develop a reproductive health scale in married adolescent women in Iran and investigate its psychometric properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exploratory mixed-methods study was conducted in Ardabil healthcare centers (Ardabil City, Iran) between May 2017 and December 2018. In the qualitative phase, 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with married adolescent women, and two focus group discussions were held with 12 key informants. In the quantitative phase, the initial scales were validated using face, content, and construct validities. In a cross-sectional study among 300 women, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to assess the construct validity. Internal consistency and test-retest methods were used to review. The initial scale was designed with 45 items, but only 30 items reached the construct validity stage. EFA revealed five factors that explained 50.96% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.75 estimates the reliability of the scale. RESULTS: The qualitative study identified 76 items that reached 88 items through literature confirmed its reliability, and test-retest with a two-week interval confirmed its consistency (ICC = 0.99, p < 0.001). Finally, the scale was approved with 27 items and four domains: sexual, pregnancy and childbirth, psychosocial, and family planning. CONCLUSIONS: This valid and reliable scale with cultural sensitivity can be used to help health professionals to improve the reproductive health of married adolescent women.