Researchers in Ghana discovered that 7 out of 10 pregnant teenagers have anemia, a condition where the blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen. The study looked at 329 pregnant girls ages 13-19 at a hospital in Accra between June and August 2023. They found that most cases were caused by not taking iron supplements, not eating enough nutritious food due to money problems, and inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease. The findings suggest that pregnant teens need better nutrition education, easier access to iron supplements, and financial support to prevent serious health problems during pregnancy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many pregnant teenage girls have low iron in their blood and what causes it
  • Who participated: 329 pregnant girls between ages 13-19 who were getting prenatal care at Ussher Hospital in Accra, Ghana during a 3-month period
  • Key finding: About 72% of the pregnant teenagers had low iron levels (anemia). About 6% had severe anemia, 43% had moderate anemia, and 23% had mild anemia.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a pregnant teenager or know one, getting enough iron through food and supplements is really important. Talk to your doctor about iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods. This is especially important in areas where healthcare and nutrition are limited.

The Research Details

Researchers collected information from 329 pregnant teenage girls who came to the hospital for prenatal checkups over three months (June-August 2023). They asked the girls questions about their background and lifestyle using a questionnaire. Then they looked at blood test results that were already recorded in the girls’ medical records to check their iron levels and whether they had sickle cell disease. The researchers counted how many girls had low iron and organized the information into groups based on how severe the anemia was.

This type of study is important because it shows what’s actually happening in a real hospital setting with real patients. By looking at medical records that were already collected, researchers could quickly understand the problem without needing to do expensive new blood tests. This helps doctors and public health officials understand what needs to be fixed.

The study was conducted at a real hospital with actual patient records, which makes the findings reliable for that location. However, the study only looked at girls who came to the hospital for care, so it might not represent all pregnant teenagers in Ghana. The study was done over just three months, which is a short time period. The researchers didn’t explain all the details about how they selected the girls or how they analyzed the data, which would have made the study stronger.

What the Results Show

The main finding was shocking: 72 out of every 100 pregnant teenage girls had low iron levels. This is a very high number. The researchers broke this down further: about 6 girls had severe anemia (very low iron), 43 had moderate anemia (medium-low iron), and 23 had mild anemia (slightly low iron). This means that most of the girls had at least some level of low iron, which is concerning because low iron during pregnancy can cause serious problems for both the mother and the baby.

The researchers found three main reasons why so many girls had low iron. First, many girls weren’t taking their iron and folate supplements regularly, even though these were available through the hospital. Second, many girls weren’t eating enough iron-rich foods because they didn’t have enough money to buy healthy food. Third, some girls had inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease, which naturally causes lower iron levels.

The study also showed that financial hardship was a major barrier to good nutrition. Girls from families with less money couldn’t afford to buy foods rich in iron like meat, eggs, and certain vegetables. This suggests that the problem isn’t just about education—it’s also about poverty and access to resources. The study also identified that genetic factors like sickle cell disease played a role, which means some girls were at higher risk from birth.

This study adds important information about a problem that has been known to be serious in low and middle-income countries. Previous research showed that anemia in pregnant women is a major health threat worldwide, but there wasn’t much specific information about pregnant teenagers in Ghana. This study fills that gap by showing that the problem is even worse in teenage pregnancies than in adult pregnancies in some cases.

This study only looked at girls who came to one hospital in Accra, so the results might not be the same in other parts of Ghana or in rural areas. The study didn’t include girls who didn’t go to the hospital for prenatal care, so the real number of anemic pregnant teenagers might be different. The study was done over just three months, so it’s a snapshot in time and might not show seasonal changes. The researchers didn’t collect detailed information about diet or supplement use, so they had to rely on what was already in the medical records.

The Bottom Line

Pregnant teenage girls should take iron and folate supplements as prescribed by their doctor (strong evidence). Eating more iron-rich foods like beans, leafy greens, eggs, and meat when possible is important (moderate evidence). Pregnant teens should attend all prenatal appointments to monitor their iron levels (strong evidence). Healthcare programs should provide free or low-cost iron supplements and nutrition education to pregnant teenagers (moderate evidence based on this study’s findings).

Pregnant teenage girls should definitely care about this research. Parents and guardians of pregnant teens should use this information to support better nutrition and supplement use. Healthcare workers and public health officials in Ghana and similar countries should use these findings to improve programs for pregnant teenagers. This is less relevant for non-pregnant people or pregnant adults in wealthy countries with better access to healthcare and nutrition.

Iron supplements typically take 2-4 weeks to start improving blood iron levels. Most girls would see significant improvement in their anemia within 2-3 months of consistently taking supplements and eating better. However, some cases of severe anemia might take longer to improve.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily iron supplement intake (yes/no) and record iron-rich foods eaten each day. Also track any symptoms like tiredness, shortness of breath, or dizziness to see if they improve over time.
  • Set a daily reminder to take iron supplements at the same time each day. Use the app to log one iron-rich food eaten at each meal. Share progress with your healthcare provider at prenatal visits.
  • Check blood iron levels every 4-6 weeks through prenatal appointments. Track energy levels and symptoms weekly in the app. Monitor supplement adherence daily and review weekly to identify barriers to taking supplements.

This research describes a specific situation at one hospital in Ghana and should not be considered medical advice. Pregnant teenagers should always consult with their own healthcare provider about their individual iron levels, supplement needs, and dietary requirements. If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, seek immediate medical care. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice.