Pregnancy characteristics and birth outcomes among early and late adolescents in selected hospitals in the Eastern region of Ghana

There is the lack of accurate age-disaggregated data on adolescent pregnancy outcomes in Ghana. This limitation hinders stakeholders from designing targeted interventions to prevent adolescent pregnancies and support adolescent during pregnancy. This study compares the pregnancy and birth outcomes among early and late adolescents from selected hospitals in the Koforidua Municipality of Ghana. The study utilized a five-year health record data of 1468 pregnancy cases among early and late adolescents from three hospitals in Koforidua. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine the independent predictors of early and late adolescent birth outcomes, with values at p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Prevalence of late adolescent pregnancy was higher 1294 (88.1%) compared to early adolescents at 174 (11.9%). Low birth weight (small for gestational age) was higher in early adolescents 56 (32.2%) than in late adolescents 313(24.2%), with a (8.0%) significant difference. The majority of late adolescents 1272 (98.3%) and early adolescents 171 (98.3%) gave birth to live babies. Neonatal survival is the outcome variable modelled in the regression analysis. Mothers whose babies had normal birth weight had higher odds of being alive at the time of birth than those whose babies were heavy (OR = 2.980; 95% CI = 1.327, 6.694). Post-term deliveries (OR = 2.894; 95% CI = 1.271, 6.876) were more likely to result in live birth outcomes compared to adolescents who experienced preterm delivery. The rate of low birth weight was high among early adolescents than late adolescents. However, both groups had similar proportion of live births. This study advocates for the implementation of age-appropriate targeted maternal care interventions with close monitoring during adolescent pregnancies, particularly by healthcare providers who work in primary health facilities.