Factors Associated with Rising Trend in Teenage Pregnancy within the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region of Ghana

Josiah Nang-Bayi,Saatiero Frenk Wie,Paul Kuufira,Vincent Siepaal,Edmund Muonir Der

doi:10.4236/ojog.2021.119119

Josiah Nang-Bayi, Saatiero Frenk Wie + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2021.119119

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Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a major public health problem worldwide, also in northern Ghana. The aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to the rising trend in teenage pregnancy and the resultant effects. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a quasi-structured questionnaire on 60 pregnant teenagers. Demographic data and factors associated with teenage pregnancy were collected/analyzed. Results: The mean age of respondents was 17.25 ± 1.93 years. Junior high school students or graduates accounted for 55%. About 35% of participants dropped out of school due to pregnancy. The following factors were identified to be associated with teenage pregnancy: low socio-economic status, no/less sexual- and reproductive-communication with parents, low level of education, no sexual and reproductive health knowledge, and unsafe sexual behaviours. The consequences of teenage pregnancy identified were: truncation of the girls’ education, psychological trauma, and worsening family relationships. The following health consequences were identified; anaemia in pregnancy, severe malaria, hypertension in pregnancy, and prolonged labour. Conclusion: The following factors may account for the rising trend in teenage pregnancy in this area: family-related problem, sociocultural factors, low education level, and the lack of adequate knowledge on reproductive health. Teenage pregnancy caused several problems in themselves and their family members.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to the rising trend in teenage pregnancy and the resultant effects
The following factors were identified to be associated with teenage pregnancy: low socio-economic status, no/less sexualand reproductive-communication with parents, low level of education, no sexual and reproductive health knowledge, and unsafe sexual behaviours
The following factors may account for the rising trend in teenage pregnancy in this area: family-related problem, sociocultural factors, low education level, and the lack of adequate knowledge on reproductive health

Summary

Introduction

One-tenth of all births are by females aged 20 years or below, and the great majority of these births were recorded in developing countries [2]. According to the WHO [4], the term “adolescent” is often used synonymously with “teenager” In this sense, “adolescent/teenage pregnancy” means pregnancy in a female aged 10 - 19 years [4]. The following factors were identified to be associated with teenage pregnancy: low socio-economic status, no/less sexualand reproductive-communication with parents, low level of education, no sexual and reproductive health knowledge, and unsafe sexual behaviours. Conclusion: The following factors may account for the rising trend in teenage pregnancy in this area: family-related problem, sociocultural factors, low education level, and the lack of adequate knowledge on reproductive health. Teenage pregnancy caused several problems in themselves and their family members

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