Contemporary factors of teenage pregnancy in rural communities of Abia state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy (TP) is a serious health problem world-wide which has grievous after effect on health of females. The study aims at identifying factors influencing TP in rural communities of Abia State – Nigeria. It also seeks to determine the current prevalence of TP.Methods:A household survey of 10 randomly selected communities was carried out using a multi-stage sampling method. A sample of 400 girls aged 11-19 years, was calculated from a population of 2505 girls enumerated from the 10 communities, using Lutz’s formula n = Z2pq/d2 as stated by Ejemot- Nwadiaro Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire that was interviewer administered. Data were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS V20. Chi-Square statistic was used in determining statistical significance.Results: The prevalence of TP in this study was 49%. Factors identified to influence TP were broadly categorized into four: socio-demographic factors of teenage age P<0.05, marital status P<0.05, education P<0.05, employment P<0.05. Others were awareness factors P<0.05, parental factors P<0.05, teenage life style and societal factors P<0.05.Conclusions:Efforts to mitigate teenage pregnancy and its attendant public health and socio-economic problems should begin by proffering lasting and sustainable solutions to these identified factors.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Teenage Pregnancy, Northeast Ethiopia, 2017: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This finding is lower than those of studies conducted in Abia State of Nigeria (49.0%) [ 9 ] and the Cape Coast Municipality in Nepal (47.3%) [ 6 ]. This difference could be due to some social, cultural, and individual characteristics of participants and the time gap among the studies.…”

“…This difference could be due to some social, cultural, and individual characteristics of participants and the time gap among the studies. For instance, in the Abia study, the proportion of participants who had no formal education (28.5%) [ 9 ] was more than that of the current study which represented 17.7%. Moreover, the proportion of study participants who were unemployed (75.8%) was higher in Abia State study [ 9 ] compared to that of the present study (49.2%).…”

“…For instance, in the Abia study, the proportion of participants who had no formal education (28.5%) [ 9 ] was more than that of the current study which represented 17.7%. Moreover, the proportion of study participants who were unemployed (75.8%) was higher in Abia State study [ 9 ] compared to that of the present study (49.2%). The possible explanation for these may be unemployed adolescents may have poorer access to contraceptives; hence, the chance of getting pregnancy increased.…”

“…In Jordan, the prevalence is 25% [ 7 ]. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy also varies in Africa; for instance, in Nigeria, it ranges from 6.2% in Niger Delta state [ 8 ] to 49% in Abia State [ 9 ]. In South Africa [ 10 ], East Africa (Kenya) [ 11 ], Assossa (Ethiopia) [ 12 ], and Sudan [ 13 ], it ranges from 2.3 to 19.2%, 31%, 20.4%, and 31%, respectively.…”

“…As a result, the majority (75%) of married teenage pregnancies are planned [ 1 , 17 ]. Employment status [ 6 , 9 , 18 , 19 ], poverty [ 2 , 6 , 14 , 20 – 22 ], marital status [ 9 , 12 , 18 , 23 ], type of occupation [ 12 , 21 ], culture [ 9 , 11 ], peer pressure [ 11 , 20 , 22 , 24 ], early marriage [ 25 ], forced marriage [ 20 ], rape [ 26 ], and the need for a dowry [ 20 ] were factors associated with teenage pregnancy in recorded literature.…”