ACTORS AFFECTING TEENAGE PREGNANCY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, contributing to school dropout, maternal and infant morbidity, and socio-economic challenges. This study aimed to assess the awareness and contributing factors of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in a local government area of Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Simple random sampling was used to select 271 participants from two secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was distributed, and 266 were properly filled and valid for analysis, yielding a response rate of 98.1%. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics summarized socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence, awareness, and contributing factors of teenage pregnancy. Chi-square tests were conducted to assess the relationship between the level of awareness of sex education and the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. The study revealed a self-reported teenage pregnancy prevalence of 6.8%, with higher rates among older adolescents (17–19 years). Approximately 70% of students demonstrated good awareness of sex education and reproductive health, though gaps and misconceptions persisted regarding contraception and reproductive health components. Multiple factors were identified as contributing to teenage pregnancy, including poverty, peer influence, lack of parental care, broken homes, low self-confidence, early marriage, social media exposure, and cultural or religious restrictions. A significant association was found between awareness of sex education and teenage pregnancy awareness (χ² = 6.765, p = 0.01). Teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in the study area is influenced by a combination of socio-demographic, familial, economic, psychological, and cultural factors, while adequate awareness of sex education serves as a protective factor. Comprehensive sex education programs, parental and community engagement, targeted interventions for vulnerable adolescents, and accessible youth-friendly reproductive health services are recommended to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy and promote adolescent well-being.