Teenage Pregnancy: Prevalence, Pattern and Predisposing Factors in a Tertiary Hospital, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Any pregnancy occurring in a young woman who has not reached her 20th birthday is considered as a teenage pregnancy. Globally, approximately a tenth of all births are to women younger than 20 years old and more than 90% of such births occur in developing countries. Socioeconomic deprivation, low contraceptive usage and early marriage are common contributing factors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern and predisposing factors to teenage pregnancy at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 198 cases of teenage pregnancies managed at University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2015. Results: The teenage pregnancy prevalence rate was 15 per 1,000 deliveries (1.5%). Low level of education (below secondary) was seen in 81.3% of the women. A socio-cultural factor like early marriage was noted in 56.1% of the women and only 26.8% of the teenage mothers had ever used any form of contraception. Conclusion: The teenage pregnancy rate in Port-Harcourt showed a downward trend. Contraceptive awareness creation for teenagers, implementation of teenage-friendly policies, education of the girl child coupled with promotion of moral and sex education will further reduce the trend.