Are Emergency Services the First Place of Diagnosis for Juvenile Pregnancies?

Objectives: Child marriage is a situation that varies based on the country and region in which it is found, and it is the name given to marriages under the age of 18. We aim to learn in the study we planned of the places where juvenile-child pregnancies are first diagnosed.

Method: The study was conducted over the health data in the Kars province, found in eastern Turkey, between the dates of January 2012 and January 2017, and approval was obtained from the provincial health directorate.

Results: 260 pregnancies were detected under the age of 18. The age, place of residence, upon which referral the diagnosis was made of the pregnant women, the health institution and department that made the request, and the reason for examination were recorded. 142 of the patients (54.6%) come from rural regions.

Conclusions: All healthcare professionals, primarily emergency care doctors, must be educated about juvenile pregnancy, and social programs must be organized to monitor pregnant juveniles.