Teenage pregnancy and its consequences: Evidence from a South-eastern rural community of Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v2i3.977
Published: May 30, 2022

Abstract:

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between education and teenage pregnancy, and its grave consequences on vulnerable teenagers.

Methodology: A systematic random sampling method was used to select a sample of two hundred young teenagers from the eight villages that make up the Ihuokpara community. Frequency tables and pie charts were used for the analysis and interpretation of data, while chi-square (x2) was used in testing the hypothesis.

Results: The findings revealed that teenage pregnancies occur as a result of a lack of education (Ignorance) about sexuality and other reproductive health-related issues. However, the findings also revealed that there is a water-tight relationship existing between education and the tide of teen pregnancy so that the rate of awareness of sexuality determines the rate of teenage pregnancy.

Limitations: This study only examines some factors such as the low level of education (ignorance) about sexuality, human reproduction, sexual health, and other reproductive health-related issues that may cause teenage pregnancy in Ihuokpara. The future researcher may find other factors that are not included in this study.

Contribution: This study hopefully can give some things that are important for the individual, family, and communities to lend their support to others in their articulated efforts toward the teenage pregnancy cases.

Keywords:
1. Adolescents
2. Educators
3. Nigeria
4. Teenagers
5. Teenage Pregnancy
Authors:
Grace Ifunanya Anayochukwu
Federal Capital Development Authority, Abuja, Nigeria
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Anayochukwu, G. I. (2022). Teenage pregnancy and its consequences: Evidence from a South-eastern rural community of Nigeria. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 2(3), 245–267. https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v2i3.977
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Vol. 2 No. 3 (2022): May
Articles
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References

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    Alemayehu, T., Haider, J., & Habte, D. (2010). Determinants of adolescent fertility in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 24(1).

    Amoran, O. E. (2012). A comparative analysis of predictors of teenage pregnancy and its prevention in a rural town in Western Nigeria. International journal for equity in health, 11(1), 1-7.

    Ayanaw Habitu, Y., Yalew, A., & Azale Bisetegn, T. (2018). Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy, Northeast Ethiopia, 2017: a cross-sectional study. Journal of pregnancy, 2018.

    Ayele, B. G. k., Gebregzabher, T. G., Hailu, T. T., & Assefa, B. A. (2018). Determinants of teenage pregnancy in Degua Tembien District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A community-based case-control study. PloS one, 13(7), e0200898.

    Baba, S., Iso, H., & Fujiwara, T. (2016). Area-level and individual-level factors for teenage motherhood: a multilevel analysis in Japan. PloS one, 11(11), e0166345.

    Bah, Y. M. (2016). Teenage pregnancy: teenage mothers’ experiences and perspectives: a qualitative study. Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 29(2), 118-136.

    Banko, O. H. (2016). Local Government and Rural Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Nkanu East Local Government Area (2008–2015). International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 5(7), 110-119.

    Beyene, A., Muhiye, A., Getachew, Y., Hiruye, A., Haile Mariam, D., & Derbew, M. (2015). Assessment of the magnitude of teenage pregnancy and its associated factors among teenage females visiting Assosa General Hospital. EMJ, 25-37.

    Birhanu, B. E., Kebede, D. L., Kahsay, A. B., & Belachew, A. B. (2019). Predictors of teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-10.

    Chalise, S., & Bajracharya, S. (2016). Contributing factors of teenage pregnancy among pregnant teenagers at selected hospitals of Dhaulagiri Zone. Journal of Chitwan Medical College, 6(3), 8-13.

    Child Trends. (2018). Teen Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/teen-abortions

    Effah, J. (1996). Modernised Slavery: Child Trade in Nigeria: Constitutional Rights Project.

    Effah, J. (2001). Beyond boundaries: Violence against women in Nigeria: Project Alert on Violence Against Women.

    Instrument of recognition of Autonomous Communities Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers Law, 1996 in Enugu State, (1999).

    Ezegwui, H., Ikeako, L., & Ogbuefi, F. (2012). Obstetric outcome of teenage pregnancies at a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Nigerian journal of clinical practice, 15(2), 147-150.

    Fagbamigbe, A., Afolabi, R. F., & Yusuf, O. (2019). Trend analysis of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria (1961-2013): How effective is the contraceptive use campaign. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS), 8(2), 163-173.

    Gideon, R. (2013). Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and fertility in Uganda: analysis of the 2011 demographic and health survey data. American Journal of Sociological Research, 3(2), 30-35.

    Gyan, C. (2013). The effects of teenage pregnancy on the educational attainment of girls at Chorkor, a suburb of Accra. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 3(3), 53.

    Habito, C. M., Vaughan, C., & Morgan, A. (2019). Adolescent sexual initiation and pregnancy: what more can be learned through further analysis of the demographic and health surveys in the Philippines? BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-13.

    Hadley, A. (2018). Teenage pregnancy: strategies for prevention. Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, 28(4), 99-104.

    Hartjen, C. A. (1978). Crime and criminalization: Praeger Publishers.

    Igbo, E., U, M., & Anugwom, E., E. (2007). Sociology: Basic concepts and issues. Great AP Express publishers Ltd, Nsukka.

    Isiugo-Abanihe, U. (2011). Adolescents’ Sexuality and Sexual Behaviour: What we know and do not know. Identifying Priorities for Research and Documentation on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health in Nigeria, 27-37.

    Kooli, C. (2020). Review of assisted reproduction techniques, laws, and regulations in Muslim countries. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 24(1), 1-15.

    Krugu, J. K., Mevissen, F., Münkel, M., & Ruiter, R. (2017). Beyond love: a qualitative analysis of factors associated with teenage pregnancy among young women with pregnancy experience in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Culture, health & sexuality, 19(3), 293-307.

    Kyei, K. A. (2012). Teenage fertility in Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, how high is that? Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences, 3(2), 134-140.

    Luk, C. Y. (2019). A Human Rights-Based Approach to Teenage Pregnancy Prevention in China Socio-Cultural Influences on Teenage Pregnancy and Contemporary Prevention Measures (pp. 95-116): IGI Global.

    Macleod, C. (2011). Adolescence, Pregnancy and Abortion: Constructing a Threat of Degeneration: Routledge.

    Maemeko, E. L., Nkengbeza, D., & Chokomosi, T. M. (2018). The impact of teenage pregnancy on academic performance of grade 7 learners at a school in the Zambezi region. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 6(09), 88.

    Masemola-Yende, J. (2015). Access to information and decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by females in Tshwane. Curationis, 38(2), 1-9.

    Mathewos, S., & Mekuria, A. (2018). Teenage pregnancy and its associated factors among school adolescents of Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian journal of health sciences, 28(3), 287-298.

    Mchunu, G., Peltzer, K., Tutshana, B., & Seutlwadi, L. (2012). Adolescent pregnancy and associated factors in South African youth. African health sciences, 12(4), 426-434.

    Mersal, F., Esmat, O., & Khalil, G. (2013). Effect of prenatal counselling on compliance and outcomes of teenage pregnancy. EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 19 (1), 10-17, 2013.

    Mezmur, H., Assefa, N., & Alemayehu, T. (2021). Teenage pregnancy and its associated factors in eastern Ethiopia: a community-based study. International Journal of Women's Health, 13, 267.

    Monye, F., N, Ezumah, N., N, Ugwu, D., S, & Umoh, B., D. (2003). Human Rights and Accessible Justice During the Proceedings of Igwes-in-Council in Enugu State, Nigeria. Access to Justice Programme 3 rd Floor, AP Plaza Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent Wuse II, Abuja.

    Nguyen, H., Shiu, C., & Farber, N. (2016). Prevalence and factors associated with teen pregnancy in Vietnam: results from two national surveys. Societies, 6(2), 17.

    Nigeria, I. (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville: NPC and ICF Maryland.

    NPC (National Population Commission). (2010). Population Distribution by Sex, State, LGAs and Senatorial District, Census Priority Tables, Vol. 3. file:///C:/Users/ACER/Downloads/Vol%2003%20Table%20DSx%20LGAPop%20by%20SDistrict-PDF.pdf

    NPC (National Population Commission). (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR359/FR359.pdf

    Nwosu, U. M. (2017). Contemporary factors of teenage pregnancy in rural communities of Abia state, Nigeria. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(2), 588-592.

    Odimegwu, C., & Mkwananzi, S. (2016). Factors associated with teen pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country cross-sectional study. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 20(3), 94-107.

    Oke, Y. F. (2010). Poverty and teenage pregnancy: The dynamics in developing countries. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2(5), 63-66.

    Pelton, L. H. (1978). Child abuse and neglect: the myth of classlessness. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 48(4), 608.

    Popoola, I. (2017). Teenage Pregnancy: Who To Blame? Retrieved from http://edoworld.net/Teenage_Pregnancy_Who_To_Blame.html

    Presler-Marshall, E., & Jones, N. (2012). Empowering girls to prevent early pregnancy. Oversees Development Institute.

    Simigiu, A. (2012). Teen pregnancy. Factors. Options. Consequences. Paper presented at the International Conference of Scientific Paper AFAFES 2012.

    . Teen Pregnancy-A Global Tragedy. (2004). Awake! Magazine.

    Tiruneh, Y. (2010). Teenage pregnancy and motherhood in Merkato slums in Ethiopia: Perspectives of teenagers and implications for sexual and reproductive health policies amd services. Unpublished M. Ed project.

    UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). (2013). Motherhood in Childhood, Facing the Challenge of Adolescent Pregnancy, State of World Population. https://www.unfpa.org/publications/state-world-population-2013

    Vincent, G., & Alemu, F. M. (2016). Factors contributing to, and effects of, teenage pregnancy in Juba. South Sudan Medical Journal, 9(2), 28-31.

    Wall-Wieler, E., Roos, L. L., & Nickel, N. C. (2016). Teenage pregnancy: the impact of maternal adolescent childbearing and older sister’s teenage pregnancy on a younger sister. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 16(1), 1-12.

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  2. Alemayehu, T., Haider, J., & Habte, D. (2010). Determinants of adolescent fertility in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 24(1).
  3. Amoran, O. E. (2012). A comparative analysis of predictors of teenage pregnancy and its prevention in a rural town in Western Nigeria. International journal for equity in health, 11(1), 1-7.
  4. Ayanaw Habitu, Y., Yalew, A., & Azale Bisetegn, T. (2018). Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy, Northeast Ethiopia, 2017: a cross-sectional study. Journal of pregnancy, 2018.
  5. Ayele, B. G. k., Gebregzabher, T. G., Hailu, T. T., & Assefa, B. A. (2018). Determinants of teenage pregnancy in Degua Tembien District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A community-based case-control study. PloS one, 13(7), e0200898.
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  7. Bah, Y. M. (2016). Teenage pregnancy: teenage mothers’ experiences and perspectives: a qualitative study. Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 29(2), 118-136.
  8. Banko, O. H. (2016). Local Government and Rural Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Nkanu East Local Government Area (2008–2015). International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 5(7), 110-119.
  9. Beyene, A., Muhiye, A., Getachew, Y., Hiruye, A., Haile Mariam, D., & Derbew, M. (2015). Assessment of the magnitude of teenage pregnancy and its associated factors among teenage females visiting Assosa General Hospital. EMJ, 25-37.
  10. Birhanu, B. E., Kebede, D. L., Kahsay, A. B., & Belachew, A. B. (2019). Predictors of teenage pregnancy in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-10.
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  12. Child Trends. (2018). Teen Abortion. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/indicators/teen-abortions
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  17. Fagbamigbe, A., Afolabi, R. F., & Yusuf, O. (2019). Trend analysis of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria (1961-2013): How effective is the contraceptive use campaign. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS), 8(2), 163-173.
  18. Gideon, R. (2013). Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and fertility in Uganda: analysis of the 2011 demographic and health survey data. American Journal of Sociological Research, 3(2), 30-35.
  19. Gyan, C. (2013). The effects of teenage pregnancy on the educational attainment of girls at Chorkor, a suburb of Accra. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 3(3), 53.
  20. Habito, C. M., Vaughan, C., & Morgan, A. (2019). Adolescent sexual initiation and pregnancy: what more can be learned through further analysis of the demographic and health surveys in the Philippines? BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-13.
  21. Hadley, A. (2018). Teenage pregnancy: strategies for prevention. Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, 28(4), 99-104.
  22. Hartjen, C. A. (1978). Crime and criminalization: Praeger Publishers.
  23. Igbo, E., U, M., & Anugwom, E., E. (2007). Sociology: Basic concepts and issues. Great AP Express publishers Ltd, Nsukka.
  24. Isiugo-Abanihe, U. (2011). Adolescents’ Sexuality and Sexual Behaviour: What we know and do not know. Identifying Priorities for Research and Documentation on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health in Nigeria, 27-37.
  25. Kooli, C. (2020). Review of assisted reproduction techniques, laws, and regulations in Muslim countries. Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 24(1), 1-15.
  26. Krugu, J. K., Mevissen, F., Münkel, M., & Ruiter, R. (2017). Beyond love: a qualitative analysis of factors associated with teenage pregnancy among young women with pregnancy experience in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Culture, health & sexuality, 19(3), 293-307.
  27. Kyei, K. A. (2012). Teenage fertility in Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, how high is that? Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences, 3(2), 134-140.
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  32. Mathewos, S., & Mekuria, A. (2018). Teenage pregnancy and its associated factors among school adolescents of Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. Ethiopian journal of health sciences, 28(3), 287-298.
  33. Mchunu, G., Peltzer, K., Tutshana, B., & Seutlwadi, L. (2012). Adolescent pregnancy and associated factors in South African youth. African health sciences, 12(4), 426-434.
  34. Mersal, F., Esmat, O., & Khalil, G. (2013). Effect of prenatal counselling on compliance and outcomes of teenage pregnancy. EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 19 (1), 10-17, 2013.
  35. Mezmur, H., Assefa, N., & Alemayehu, T. (2021). Teenage pregnancy and its associated factors in eastern Ethiopia: a community-based study. International Journal of Women's Health, 13, 267.
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  41. Nwosu, U. M. (2017). Contemporary factors of teenage pregnancy in rural communities of Abia state, Nigeria. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(2), 588-592.
  42. Odimegwu, C., & Mkwananzi, S. (2016). Factors associated with teen pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country cross-sectional study. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 20(3), 94-107.
  43. Oke, Y. F. (2010). Poverty and teenage pregnancy: The dynamics in developing countries. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2(5), 63-66.
  44. Pelton, L. H. (1978). Child abuse and neglect: the myth of classlessness. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 48(4), 608.
  45. Popoola, I. (2017). Teenage Pregnancy: Who To Blame? Retrieved from http://edoworld.net/Teenage_Pregnancy_Who_To_Blame.html
  46. Presler-Marshall, E., & Jones, N. (2012). Empowering girls to prevent early pregnancy. Oversees Development Institute.
  47. Simigiu, A. (2012). Teen pregnancy. Factors. Options. Consequences. Paper presented at the International Conference of Scientific Paper AFAFES 2012.
  48. . Teen Pregnancy-A Global Tragedy. (2004). Awake! Magazine.
  49. Tiruneh, Y. (2010). Teenage pregnancy and motherhood in Merkato slums in Ethiopia: Perspectives of teenagers and implications for sexual and reproductive health policies amd services. Unpublished M. Ed project.
  50. UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). (2013). Motherhood in Childhood, Facing the Challenge of Adolescent Pregnancy, State of World Population. https://www.unfpa.org/publications/state-world-population-2013
  51. Vincent, G., & Alemu, F. M. (2016). Factors contributing to, and effects of, teenage pregnancy in Juba. South Sudan Medical Journal, 9(2), 28-31.
  52. Wall-Wieler, E., Roos, L. L., & Nickel, N. C. (2016). Teenage pregnancy: the impact of maternal adolescent childbearing and older sister’s teenage pregnancy on a younger sister. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 16(1), 1-12.