Intended Adolescent Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Previous research on teenage pregnancy suggests that there are distinct profiles of pregnancy intent among adolescents, reflecting differences in young people's understanding and endorsement of the concept of pregnancy intendedness. Little is known about adolescents' subjective perceptions of pregnancy intent. This systematic literature review comprehensively examines qualitative studies of intended teenage pregnancy. Several online databases were searched for publications on attitudes towards adolescents' pregnancy intentions. Following a systematic selection process, findings from included studies were analyzed and integrated using thematic synthesis. Six dominant themes emerged: pregnancy desire, negative and positive perceptions of pregnancy, ambivalence and fatalism, other people's views, and common characteristics of adolescent mothers. The themes are discussed in the context of current knowledge on adolescent reproductive health.