4. DISCUSSION
4.1. Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Pregnant Adolescents
Adolescence pregnancy is a public health problem that adversely affects mother and baby . According Turk- ish Population and Health Survey in 2003, frequency of pregnancy between the ages of 15 and 19 is 7.5%. The percentage of being a mother rises along with age in adolescence period. While this ratio is 1% at the age of 16, it rises to 3% at the age of 17, to 8% at the age of 18 and to 17% at the age of 19 . When the average age of the pregnant adolescents is considered, it is seen that 20 (40.8%) of them is 18 years old, 25 (51.0 %) of them is 17 years old, and 4 (8.2%) of them is 16 years old. The average age of pregnant adolescents is found to be 17.58 ± 0.85.
One of the factors that raise possible risks in adoles- cent pregnancy is the fact that the adolescents are of a lower socio-economic group . When the family income levels of pregnant adolescents are examined, it is found 581.25 ± 114.22 accordingly.