This article is based on an investigation into some aspects of obstetrics in black teenage pregnancy conducted by the authors at two hospitals in Port Elizabeth during the latter part of 1992. In that research, it was hypothesized that significant differences with regard to several obstetrical factors would be found between the teenagers and older controls. Three groups of primigravidae who had single births were compared and the data statistically analysed. There were 47 teenagers aged 13 to 16 years, 128 aged 17 to 19 years and 125 older females aged 20 to 30 years. A significantly higher incidence of anaemia and low birth mass neonates among the teenagers than among the controls was found. A significant association was also found between low antenatal clinic attendance (four or fewer visits) and low birth mass infants. No significant differences were found in regard to other obstetric variables, including incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and syphilis in particular.
PIP: In South Africa, two sociologists conducted a comparative study to examine obstetric aspects of 200 Black primigravidae who delivered at two Port Elizabeth hospitals in late 1992. The three groups included 47 women aged 13-16, 128 women aged 17-19, and 125 women aged 20-30. 22.3% of all women currently had a sexually transmitted disease (STD), especially syphilis (80% of those with an STD). 96.3% of all women had received prenatal care. Yet most received it in the third trimester. The two teenage groups were significantly more likely to have anemia (10 g/dl hemoglobin) than the 20-30 year old group (8.1% vs. 0.9%; p 0.05). They also were more likely to have low-birth-weight (LBW) infants (26.6-27.6% vs. 15.2%; p 0.05). Even though they also had a higher proportion of small for gestational age infants than the 20-30 year old group, the difference was not significant. Poor prenatal clinic attendance (1-4 visits) was significantly associated with LBW, often associated with premature labor (p 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups for other obstetric variables. These findings show that Black pregnant teenagers in Port Elizabeth are at increased risk of anemia, of delivering an LBW infant, and of premature labor.