Prevalence of repeat pregnancies and associated factors among teenagers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Objective: To determine the prevalence of repeat teenage pregnancy and the interval between first/most recent and repeat pregnancies, as well as to evaluate the sexual/reproductive health characteristics of teenagers with repeat pregnancies.

Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between May and September 2013. Teenagers aged 13-19years who were pregnant, had recently delivered, or had terminated a pregnancy were enrolled. A questionnaire was used to obtain data.

Results: Among 341 participants, 281 (82.4%) were seen for a first pregnancy and 60 (17.6%) for a repeat pregnancy. The interval between first/most recent and repeat pregnancies was 24months or lower in 45 (75.0%) of repeat pregnancy participants. Only 58 (17.0%) participants had previously used contraception (54 [93.1%] of whom stopped within 12months) and 28 (8.2%) had used emergency contraception. More participants with repeat pregnancy than with first pregnancy had a positive HIV status (18 [30.0%] vs 26 [9.3%]; P<0.001), more than one sexual partner in the past 12months (21 [35.0%] vs 35 [12.5%]; P<0.001), and a partner at least 5years older (38 [63.3%] vs 128 [45.6%]; P<0.001).

Conclusion: High repeat pregnancy rates, low contraception use, and high HIV prevalence among teenagers in South Africa is worrying. Focused interventions targeting teenagers following their first pregnancy need to be urgently implemented.