Pregnant adolescents and young mothers comprise a vulnerable group, particularly in low and middle income countries, yet there is limited research describing this population, particularly in rural Zimbabwe. Using tablet-administered questionnaires concerning maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, psychosocial well-being and parenting, we recruited 442 pregnant and young mothers (14–24 years) with the support of social workers from health facilities. We found high levels of poverty amidst increased rates of marriage, including child marriage (almost 20%). Participants had poor sexual and reproductive health knowledge and uptake of contraception was low (only 35% respondents reported current use). Although almost 60% girls had completed Form 2, 24% had only completed Grade 1 and just 4% were still engaged in schooling. Girls reported inadequate social support amidst high caretaking responsibilities and change in relocation for marriage, compromising mental health. Most of the pregnancies were unintended (approximately 60%) which had consequences on attachment and parenting where roughly 40% of our sample reported difficulties and lack of enjoyment in caring for their babies. Investments in interventions that address these vulnerabilities for pregnant adolescents and young mothers, and capitalise on available resources, are critical to improve health and interrupt cycles of risk for the next generation.

中文翻译：

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津巴布韦农村的青少年怀孕和年轻母亲：基线研究的结果

怀孕的青少年和年轻母亲是一个弱势群体，特别是在低收入和中等收入国家，但描述这一群体的研究有限，特别是在津巴布韦农村地区。在卫生机构的社会工作者的支持下，我们使用平板电脑进行的关于母婴健康、性与生殖健康、社会心理健康和育儿的问卷调查，招募了 442 名孕妇和年轻母亲（14-24 岁）。我们发现，随着结婚率的提高，包括童婚（近 20%），贫困程度很高。参与者的性健康和生殖健康知识匮乏，避孕措施的使用率很低（只有 35% 的受访者报告目前正在使用）。尽管近 60% 的女孩完成了中二课程，但 24% 的女孩仅完成了一年级，只有 4% 的女孩仍在上学。女孩报告说，在高度照顾责任和婚姻搬迁的变化中，社会支持不足，损害了心理健康。大多数怀孕是意外怀孕（大约 60%），这对依恋和养育子女产生了影响，其中大约 40% 的样本报告在照顾婴儿时遇到困难和缺乏乐趣。投资于解决怀孕少女和年轻母亲这些脆弱性的干预措施并利用可用资源，对于改善下一代的健康和中断风险循环至关重要。大多数怀孕是意外怀孕（大约 60%），这对依恋和养育子女产生了影响，其中大约 40% 的样本报告在照顾婴儿方面遇到困难和缺乏乐趣。投资于解决怀孕少女和年轻母亲这些脆弱性的干预措施并利用可用资源，对于改善下一代的健康和中断风险循环至关重要。大多数怀孕是意外怀孕（大约 60%），这对依恋和养育子女产生了影响，其中大约 40% 的样本报告在照顾婴儿时遇到困难和缺乏乐趣。投资于解决怀孕少女和年轻母亲这些脆弱性的干预措施并利用可用资源，对于改善下一代的健康和中断风险循环至关重要。