This is a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study that aims to determine the mental health status of pregnant adolescents with unexpected pregnancy. This was done by determining the prevalence rate of pregnant adolescents with varying levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety or both using Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) Scale and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI) Scale. This study involved 50 respondents from different districts and barangays in Zamboanga City who had unexpected pregnancy and volunteered to participate. Among these pregnant adolescents, 18% of them had symptoms of moderate depression, 16% with severe depression and 4% of respondents with extreme depression. For anxiety, 44% respondents had symptoms of moderate anxiety and 30% with severe anxiety. A total of 38% of respondents had symptoms of depression alone while 74% of the respondents had symptoms of anxiety. Among them, 30% had both symptoms of depression and anxiety. There is high prevalence rate of depression, anxiety and mixed depression and anxiety among pregnant adolescents with unexpected pregnancy and the results are alarming. The mental health of pregnant adolescents is often overlooked at during prenatal consultations and with these results, it emphasizes the importance of assessment of their mental health status to better understand and provide the psychological support and intervention that they need from their friends, family and health care sector.

Keyword: Mental health status of pregnant adolescents