Disaggregated data on adolescent first birth in 21 sub-Saharan African countries: trends and characteristics

Sarah Neal, University of Southampton
Amos R. Channon, University of Southampton
Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli, World Health Organization (WHO)

Single aggregate figures for teenage birth fail to demonstrate particular population groups where rates are high, or where progress has been slow. This paper provides information on levels and trends in adolescent first births in 21 countries disaggregated by age (<16 years, 16/17 years and 18/19 years), socio-economic and marital status and place of residence. We use Demographic and Household survey (DHS) data from 21 sub-Saharan African countries. In addition to cross-sectional analysis we also calculate disaggregated annual percentage rates of change for adolescent first births. The burden of first births among adolescents is very significant, and progress has generally been poor. Adolescent first births are more common among women who are poorer, live in rural areas and have no education, and early adolescent first birth before aged 16 years are particularly concentrated in these groups. Progress in reducing teen first births has been particularly poor amongst socially disadvantaged.