Author(s)

Rebecca Dordunu¹, Gideon Dzando^2*, Augustine Kumah³, Anthony B. Donyi⁴, Hillary Selassi Nutakor⁵, Wonder A. Y. Amenuvor⁶, Charles Komla Anagblah⁷, Eunice Adorkor⁸, Honore Mordenu⁹

¹School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
²College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
³Department of Quality and Public Health, Nyaho Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana.
⁴Department of Nursing, Presbyterian University College, Agogo, Ghana.
⁵Department of Mental Health, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
⁶Department of Oncology, Ghana Health Service, Ho, Ghana.
⁷Department of Nursing, Krachi West District Hospital, Krachi, Ghana.
⁸Department of Nursing, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho, Ghana.
⁹School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is a public health problem of concern in developed, developing and underdeveloped countries. Trends in developing and underdeveloped countries are higher and account for most adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood. The burden of coping with changes with this transition and at the same time preparing for childbirth puts pregnant adolescent girls on edge. Childbirth and childrearing are critical moments that require support and specialized skills to nurture healthy infants. Aim: This study aims to assess the readiness of adolescent expectant mothers towards childbirth and childrearing in the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem (KEEA) district of the central region of Ghana. Methods: This study utilized the total population sampling technique to collect data from three sites that offer specialized adolescent antenatal services within the KEEA district of the central region of Ghana. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and results presented as descriptive statistics. Results: This study assessed maternal readiness for childbirth and childrearing among 98 pregnant adolescent girls. The study was dominated by late adolescents who made up 86.7% of study participants. Regarding readiness for childrearing, the majority (74.5%) said they could not independently cater for their children and will require some support. The majority (52.0%) have had some form of counseling with a greater number (41.2%) coming from parents. Regarding readiness to embrace childbirth, the majority (82.4%) of respondents said they had companions who were willing to support them during childbirth. The majority (57.1%) of respondents have packed their delivery items although only 13.3% of them knew their expected dates of delivery. About 37.8% of respondents had knowledge of the possibility of having blood transfusion during delivery. Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy is pervasive, and adolescent mothers require optimal support to ensure safe motherhood. Health promotion activities must be streamlined to meet their specific needs. Their significant others must actively be involved in their perinatal counseling to enhance compliance with health and wellbeing programs.

Childbearing, Childrearing, Adolescence, Pregnancy, Antenatal Care

Dordunu, R. , Dzando, G. , Kumah, A. , Donyi, A. , Nutakor, H. , Amenuvor, W. , Anagblah, C. , Adorkor, E. and Mordenu, H. (2021) Assessment of Maternal Readiness for Childbirth and Childrearing among Adolescent Mothers in Ghana. Advances in Reproductive Sciences, 9, 107-117. doi: 10.4236/arsci.2021.92011.