Slide 1

Adolescent Pregnancies in BangladeshPresented by,Saleh AhmedBCC Technical CoordinatorUSAID/DFID NGO Health Service Delivery Project Bangladesh

ObjectivesTo share the study findings on adolescents pregnancy decisions in Bangladesh The appropriate measures can be taken by the development experts through this outcomesThere would be scope to reduce the early pregnancy, which can control population growth in Bangladesh

BackgroundBangladesh has made commendable progress in achieving MDGs 4 & 5. However, pregnancy among the adolescents is still very common in Bangladesh. 23% of total population is adolescent and among them 65% got married before their age 18 and 64.3% of them become pregnantEarly marriage rate is very high 86% of women with no education were married before 18 years of age

Source: (BDHS 2011)

BackgroundContraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) among adolescents is only 47.1% while the national rate is 61%The median age at first marriage among women age 25-49 is 15.5 years compared with 24.2 years for men the same ageChild Deaths are 50% higher for adolescent mothers compared to mothers age 20-2915-19 has lowest birth interval 26% has 7-17 months and 21% has 18-23 months.

Source: (BDHS 2011)

Study descriptionProblem StatementPopulation momentum effects can not be reduced for high level of early pregnanciesLack of knowledge on the health consequences on adolescent pregnancies adolescents are becoming mother at their early ages

Study descriptionThe study questions are:1. Is any information adolescent have that can delay their pregnancies?2. What are influencing factors that provoke adolescent to become mother?3. Who influences adolescents to become a mother?Study methodology:Cross sectional; applying both qualitative and quantitative methods. A total number of 50 pregnant adolescents of urban slum of Dhaka city were purposively interviewed

Conceptual Framework of the studyThe study has identified factors at macro and micro levels affecting adolescent pregnancy decision makingMacro level

Policy implementationFocused BCC interventionsEarly marriageBirth registrationSocial prejudice

Micro level

Lack of knowledgeSpousal influenceParticipation in fertility decisionEmploymentEducation

Adolescent pregnancies

Findings Have strong believe that if they dont get pregnant just after marriage than it might cause infecundityAre insisted by their family members for taking baby immediately after marriageBelieve that use of FP methods before first pregnancy causes the infecundity for the women

FindingsLack of knowledge/ information on reproductive and maternal health issues Incomplete knowledge/information on right use of modern FP methods and More dependency on traditional and short term methodsHave believe that early pregnancy prevent RTI and treat irregular menstruationPressurized by social and religious prejudice

FindingsThose who are not good looking feels that if they become mother their husband will not leave themFor social security such as if they become pregnant then they can avoid sexual harassment When their family failed to give dowry as demanded by their husbands than they wanted to become pregnant quickly to delay the processthsi shuld be findings or factors affecting decisionmaking.

ConclusionIn conclusion it can be said that-lack of knowledge among adolescents on maternal health and family planning , and social and religious prejudices are the main determinants for adolescent pregnancies in Bangladesh.

Challenges and lesson learnedLimited access of adolescents to FP information and servicesLack of spousal communication in making decisions on pregnancyLack of audience specific BCC interventions for adolescents on maternal health and FP issuesLimited resources for appropriate BCC programsEffective enforcement of existing law Existence of social insecurity.