TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Teenage pregnancy remains a critical public health concern with significant health, educational, and socio-economic implications for adolescents. This study examined the role of health education in preventing teenage pregnancy among teenagers in Ovbiogie Community. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 200 adolescents using a structured and validated questionnaire administered through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Findings revealed that health education significantly improves adolescents’ knowledge of reproductive health, contraceptive use, and the consequences of early pregnancy. The study further identified peer influence, inadequate parental communication, and limited access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information as major contributors to teenage pregnancy. The study concluded that comprehensive, school- and community-based health education interventions are effective in reducing the incidence of teenage pregnancy. It was recommended that stakeholders strengthen adolescent-friendly health education programmes and integrate comprehensive sexuality education into school curricula to promote responsible sexual behaviour.

Teenage pregnancy refers to pregnancy occurring in girls under the age of 18. According to Sambo (2019), it is often unwanted, unplanned, and occurs outside of marriage. One contributing factor is early physical maturity, which varies among individuals and is often accompanied by the onset of menstruation. Ede (2016) noted that a physically mature adolescent girl may become aware of her attractiveness to the opposite sex. This awareness, combined with a lack of proper social training and self-discipline, may lead her to view sexual activity as a means of social, emotional, or financial gratification, ultimately resulting in pregnancy. Ede further emphasized that teenage pregnancy is a pressing issue due to the overwhelming challenges that young people face regarding sexual matters. Additionally, teenage pregnancy may result from sexual abuse, a prevalent issue in society today. Nwoke (2018) highlighted that children who experience abuse at an early age may struggle with emotional trauma throughout their lives. Beyond its impact on sexual health, abuse can also hinder personal development and autonomy. Various factors contribute to the prevalence of teenage pregnancy worldwide, differing across time and regions.

The study investigated the perceived causes and effects of teenage pregnancy among students of the University of Benin. Four research questions were to guide the study. The purpose of the study was to access and examine the awareness and effects of teenage pregnancy among students in the University of Benin. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study consists of all (44,699) undergraduates from fourteen (14) faculties in the
University of Benin. The instrument used in this study is the questionnaire titled “the Causes and Effects of Teenage Pregnancy Students in the University of Benin” The finding from the study research revealed that the major causes of the teenage pregnancy are teenagers lack of Sexual Education and peer pressure, it cannot be totally ignored that Cultural Norms and Stigma surrounding discussions about sex also contribute to the teenage pregnancy necessary recommendation to the teenagers among the University of Benin undergraduate, general public, and government body as follows: students have access to confidential counseling services, Public awareness campaigns

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.

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.

This study examines the impact of teenage pregnancy on adolescent in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The survey research design was adopted for this study, the population of study consists of teenagers from 13-19 years. The simple random sampling technique was adopted for this study. Primary and secondary sources were the main method of data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistics. The findings showed that lack of parental care and guidance lead to teenage pregnancy. The study recommended that parents should teach their children sex education as early as possible to prevent unwanted pregnancy.