Author(s)

Chansa Regina, Maimbolwa M. Margaret, Catherine Ngoma, Mwaba S. Chileshe

School of Nursing Services, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.

Aim: The study aim was to explore childbirth complications among adolescent mothers at Mbala General Hospital, Zambia. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design of 138 adolescent mothers aged between 10-19 years was carried out over a period of five months at a referral hospital (Mbala General Hospital) in Mbala District, in the Northern Province of Zambia, Central Africa. Results: Maternal age prevalence was 31.1% for all admissions. The childbirth complications identified on admission were prolonged labour (42%); during Labour-Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) (59.7%), prolonged labour (20%), in the post-partum period, Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH) due atonic uterus at 20%. The most prevalent co-morbidity was Anemia (55.6%). A statistically significant association was observed between childbirth complications and parity with a P-value of 0.001. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates an association between childbirth complications and parity while the childbirth complications of prolonged labour, Contracted Pelvic Disproportion, premature rupture of membrane and PPH were observed.

Childbirth Complications, Co-Morbidities, Adolescent Mothers

Regina, C. , Margaret, M. , Ngoma, C. and Chileshe, M. (2019) Childbirth Complications among Adolescent Mothers at Mbala General Hospital in Mbala District, Zambia. Open Journal of Nursing, 9, 629-675. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2019.97051.