Adolescent pregnancy: an overview

Abstract

A pregnancy can take place at any time before or after puberty. Adolescent pregnancy is defined as pregnancy under the age of 20 years. It is a problem in both developed and developing country. It raises various human right issues i.e. an adolescent pregnant girl is forced to leave school, depriving her right to education; she is prevented from using any contraception or reproductive health related information, so she is also denied her right to health. As many adolescents are neither physically nor psychologically ready for pregnancy or childbirth, this reproductive event makes them more vulnerable to complications resulting in devastating health consequences for them. Early drop out from the school and health problem jeopardize their income-earning potential.