Jamaïque

Psychosocial factors associated with Jamaican adolescent pregnancy and suicidal behaviour

Le sommaire ci-dessous est présenté dans la langue de la demande soumis par les demandeurs du concours SCR-CALA.

This is an exploratory study of Jamaican pregnant adolescents to examine their self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and readiness for parenthood. Mixed methodology will be used to identify psychosocial factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and suicidal behaviour. Data will be collected using individual interviews with a culturally modified Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment Tool and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Development and Well-Being Assessment. Guided focus-group interviews will be used to elicit themes regarding perceptions, values, resilience, knowledge of community resources and perceptions of social support.

The project will explore some of the factors contributing to the rising incidence of both adolescent pregnancy and adolescent suicide in Jamaica, the factors influencing unplanned and undesired pregnancy, and the concomitant high risk behaviours associated with these pregnancies.

Few studies have explored possible links between adolescent pregnancy and mental health, particularly suicidal behaviour. Maharaj et al reported a 15-20% prevalence rate for adolescent pregnancy in Jamaica, with one-fifth of these in their second pregnancy. Freitas et al in a study of pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents found that pregnancies were associated with: substance use, low level of social support, depression, traumatic life events and other psychosocial difficulties. There was a relatively high prevalence of suicide (20%), depression (26.3%) and anxiety (26.3%). This is consistent with the findings of the Jamaican Global School-based Health Survey (2010) and studies describing other Caribbean teenagers and Jamaican American teenagers.

The evidence  indicating a link between adolescent pregnancy and suicidal behaviour warrants further investigation. Both the World Health Organization and Jamaican policy-makers have made adolescent health a priority for health promotion strategies. This project is an effort to provide valuable evidence that could inform maternity care practice and health policy in the care of Jamaican adolescents in pregnancy.