RESUMEN
In low and middle income countries (LMICs), the rate of teenage pregnancy continues to be high, with significant implications for maternal health. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy is worrisome in Rwanda, and little is known about the consequences faced by teen mothers aged 15-19. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the consequences of adolescent childbearing among teen mothers in Gatsibo district, Rwanda. A descriptive qualitative study design was carried out. We purposively recruited 20 teen mothers aged 15-19 from four health centers in Gatsibo district for in-depth interview. Conversations were conducted in Kinyarwanda and audio recorded. The research team, fluent in both English and Kinyarwanda, carefully listened to each recording and verbatim translated them into English ensuring they are clear and understandable. Transcripts were entered into Dedoose and then inductively and thematically analyzed. Three themes were identified: (1) self-reported health outcomes; (2) socio-economic consequences; and (3) perceived structural barriers of access to healthcare services. Teen mothers in this study reported experiencing physical and psychological problems during pregnancy and after delivery. The socio-economic consequences included lack of social support, feelings of guilt and stigmatization, discrimination, domestic violence, school interruption and dropout, and financial constraint. The structural barriers of access to healthcare included adverse health facility requirements, feeling stigmatized by adult mothers in the healthcare environment, and confronting healthcare providers' negative attitudes toward teen mothers. The results from this study indicated that adolescent childbearing is associated with several negative consequences. Therefore, there is a need in Rwanda to develop interventions addressing these consequences and revise policies and laws to ensure they support the needs of teen mothers.
RESUMEN
Background: Globally, stunting affects 159 million Under-five-years-old (U-5) children. Stunting affects the physical, mental, and cognitive development of children increasing the risk of suffering and death. This paper aimed to determine the predictors and factors associated with stunting among under-five children in Rwanda. Methods: We retrieved data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2014-2015 data set. A sample of 3599 U-5 eligible children with complete and valid anthropometric data was taken. Stata software was used to analyze the data extracted using a developed checklist. Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analysis were performed to test the association between study variables. Results: Of 3599 U-5 children, 37.5% of children were stunted. The demographic characteristics: age (p< 0.001), sex (p<0.001), and place of residence (p< 0.001) and Household wealth index (p <0.001) were associated with stunting. Age, sex, and household wealth index were predictors of stunting. Conclusion: Stunting is still a burden in Rwanda. Age and sex were predictors of stunting among children under 5 years of age. Household wealth index was a predictor and significantly associated with stunting among children U-5 years in Rwanda. Investing in the interventions that target maternal and nutrition health support is imperative.