Determinants of Teenage Pregnancy and its Health and Educational Outcomes among Female Secondary School Students in Lagelu Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31149/ijimm.v4i8.2965Keywords:
Teenage pregnancy, Adolescent girls, Secondary school students, Reproductive health, Educational outcomes, Determinants, NigeriaAbstract
Background: Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health and developmental challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where it is associated with adverse maternal health outcomes, educational disruption, and socioeconomic consequences. In Nigeria, adolescent pregnancy continues to affect girls’ educational attainment and future opportunities, with contributing factors including poverty, inadequate sexuality education, poor parental support, and limited access to reproductive health services. This study assessed the determinants of teenage pregnancy and its health and educational outcomes among female secondary school students in Lagelu Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 250 female secondary school students were selected using a multistage sampling technique from selected secondary schools in Lagelu Local Government Area. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, determinants of teenage pregnancy, and perceived health and educational outcomes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy among respondents was 15.2%. The most commonly reported determinants of teenage pregnancy were inadequate sexuality education, poor parental supervision, poverty, peer influence, and limited contraceptive knowledge. Teenage pregnancy was significantly associated with age (p < 0.001), class level (p = 0.004), family type (p = 0.004), living arrangement (p < 0.001), parental educational attainment (p = 0.005), and household income (p = 0.002). Respondents identified major health consequences of teenage pregnancy, including pregnancy complications, anaemia, mental health challenges, and risks associated with unsafe abortion. Educational consequences included school dropout, absenteeism, poor academic performance, reduced classroom participation, and limited future educational opportunities. In the multivariate logistic regression model, older age, polygamous family structure, living with guardians or single parents, low parental educational attainment, and low household income remained significant predictors of teenage pregnancy.
Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy remains an important challenge among female secondary school students in Lagelu Local Government Area, driven largely by socioeconomic and family-related factors. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive sexuality education, strengthened parental involvement, improved adolescent-friendly reproductive health services, and interventions addressing socioeconomic inequalities to reduce teenage pregnancy and improve health and educational outcomes among adolescent girls.
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