Wellcome Open Research
Volume 3, 2018

Trends and birth outcomes in adolescent refugees and migrants on the Thailand-Myanmar border, 1986-2016: An observational study [version 1; referees: 2 approved] (Article) (Open Access)

Parker A.L. , Parker D.M.* , Zan B.N. , Min A.M. , Gilder M.E. , Ringringulu M. , Win E. , Wiladphaingern J. , Charunwatthana P. , Nosten F. , Lee S.J. , McGready R.
  • a Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand, Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
  • b Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
  • c Karen Refugee Committee, Mae Sot, Thailand
  • d Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand
  • e Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand
  • f Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand
  • g Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand
  • h Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand
  • i Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
  • j Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield, Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
  • k Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield, Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
  • l Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Un, Mahidol University, Mae Sot63110, Thailand, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield, Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Currently there are more adolescents (10-19 years old) and young adults (20-24 years old) than ever. Reproductive health among this age group is often overlooked, although it can have a profound impact on the future. This is especially the case in conflict zones and refugee settings, where there is a heightened need for reproductive health care, and where both the resources and possibility for data collation are usually limited. Methods: Here we report on pregnancies, birth outcomes and risk factors for repeat pregnancies among adolescent and young adult refugees and migrants from antenatal clinics on the Thailand-Myanmar border across a 30 year time span. Results: Pregnancy and fertility rates were persistently high. Compared with 20-24-year-olds, 15-19-year-olds who reported being unable to read had 2.35 (CI: 1.97 – 2.81) times the odds for repeat pregnancy (gravidity >2). In primigravidae, the proportion of small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm births (PTB), and neonatal deaths (NND) decreased with increasing maternal age (all p <0.001). After adjustment, this association retained significance for PTB (cut-off point, ≤18 years) but not for SGA and NND. Conclusions: There is considerable room for improvement in adolescent pregnancy rates in these border populations, and educational opportunities may play a key role in effective interventions. © 2018 Parker AL et al.

Author Keywords

Birth outcomes Pregnancy trend Refugee health pregnancy outcomes Teenage pregnancy Adolescent pregnancy reproductive health Migrant health

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062834568&doi=10.12688%2fwellcomeopenres.14613.1&partnerID=40&md5=c7cb1f0c7f3ffb80412074514941f510
DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14613.1
ISSN: 2398502X
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English