Factors Associated with Adolescent Pregnancy and Fertility in Uganda: Analysis of the 2011 Demographic and Health Survey Data

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy and fertility are often discussed in literature as causes of health concern and as a social problem. Taking these accounts as a starting point, this paper uses the 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey Data explore the factors related to adolescent fertility and pregnancy in Uganda. A total of 2,026 female adolescents are selected for this study. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are estimated to predict the odds of an adolescent having borne a child in the 5 years preceding the survey, being currently pregnant and both having had a child in the 5 years preceding the survey or being currently pregnant at the time of the survey. Marital status is a strong predictor of the likelihood of both having a child in the 5 years preceding the survey and being currently pregnant at the time of the survey. Age equally appears to be an important predictor of the two outcomes, such that an increase in age was associated with increase in the odds of being pregnant and of having born a child. The discourse in this paper shows that adolescent pregnancy and childbearing is a serious policy intervention area that requires redress.