Fertility Behavior Among Adolescent Mothers in Tanay, Rizal: Factors and Association with Access to Birthing Services and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This study described the fertility behavior among adolescent mothers in Tanay, Rizal and its relationship with their socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health knowledge. The study also established the relationship between the fertility behavior among adolescent mothers and their access to birthing services. It also determined the relationship between their access to birthing services and their maternal and infant health outcomes. This study described the fertility behavior among adolescent mothers in Tanay, Rizal and their relationship with their socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health knowledge.

METHODS

This quantitative-descriptive study selected all (127) adolescent mothers from Tanay, Rizal. The data collection tool used was an interview schedule.

RESULTS

Results of the study revealed that the adolescent mothers in Tanay, Rizal showed that there was a decline as to the number of pregnancies and they were able to delay their age at first Pregnancy. Among the socio-demographic characteristics, highest educational attainment and mother's occupation were the factors that influenced their fertility behavior. in terms of reproductive health knowledge, study revealed that the total reproductive health knowledge influenced the age at first pregnancy while it does not have any significant relationship as to the number of their pregnancies. Another finding showed that antenatal care visits had a direct relationship on adolescent mother's age at first pregnancy. Only skilled birth attendant among those birthing services has had a relationship with maternal health outcomes.

DISCUSSIONS

Despite adolescent mothers' high-quality level of access to birthing services, still they have experienced adverse maternal health complications. Access to quality birthing services does not have any relationship to infant health outcomes. Adverse health complications were experienced by infants of adolescent mothers despite their compliance in terms of antenatal care visits and access to quality skilled birth attendant and health facility.