Comparison of pregnancy symptoms and anxiety of pregnant adolescents and non-adolescents

Aim: The study was conducted to compare the pregnancy symptoms and anxiety of adolescent and non-adolescent pregnant women. Material and Method: The research was conducted as a descriptive and correlational. The population of the study consisted of pregnant women who applied to the pregnant outpatient clinics of Kahramanmaraş Necip Fazıl City Hospital Gynecology and Children's Hospital between 01 June and 31 August 2021. Sample group consisted of 130 adolescent and 130 non-adolescent pregnant women that have target population which was determined as effect size of 0.35, a power of 80% and a significance level of 0.05, based on the power analysis. Data were analysed by arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t test in the independent groups, Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square, percentage distribution, Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: In the study, it was found that adult pregnants average age and average age of first pregnancy, being a university graduate, gestational weight, number of pregnancies and living children, miscarriage and abortion were higher than adolescent pregnants (p<0.05). In adolescent pregnants, the rate of employment was found to be higher than in adult pregnants (p<0.001). In the study, it was determined that the mean scores of PRAQR2 total and sub-dimensions, frequency of pregnancy symptoms and limitation of daily activities of adolescent pregnants were significantly higher than that of adult pregnants (p<0.05). In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between the level of PRAQR2 total and sub-dimensions in adolescent pregnants and the frequency of symptoms experienced by pregnant women during pregnancy and the limitation of symptoms in daily activities (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that age is an important factor affecting pregnancy symptoms and anxiety in pregnancy, and the frequency of pregnancy symptoms and limitation of daily activities in adolescent pregnant women are higher than adult pregnant women, and this situation increases pregnancy anxiety in adolescent pregnant women. Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy, Anxiety, Pregnancy, Pregnancy symptoms