Entry into motherhood among teenage girls in Nigeria: prevalence and determinants

Abhishek Saraswat, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Kanchan Negi, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Abstract Teenage pregnancy is a major challenge to safe motherhood campaign and health of women in Nigeria. It is the risk factor for various obstetric morbidities, and maternal and infant mortality as well. It also deprives young girls of their educational and career opportunities. Therefore, this study attempts to assess the teenage pregnancy and its determinants in Nigeria using data from DHS 2013. Teenage pregnancy is estimated as having had live birth or being pregnant at the age 15-19 years. Socio-demographic determinants of teenage pregnancy have also been assessed using bivariate and multivariate techniques.The Results suggested that higher number of pregnancies occurred during late teenage. Teenage pregnancies were found to be inversely related to women’s education and wealth.