ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to investigate the prevalent factors responsible for teenage pregnancies in Odode Idanre, Idanre Local Government. Descriptive study design was used for this research and questionnaires were used to collect data having the teenagers (13-19 years) as the target population. One hundred and five (105) questionnaires were distributed, while one hundred were retrieved for analysis. From the findings it was discovered 56% of the teenagers were pregnant during teenage ages. This was as a result of peer influence. Peer influence played a major role in teenage pregnancy in Odode Idanre. It was discovered from the respondents that the following were the factors that led to their pregnancies; peer influence (52%), Poverty (16%), Rape (4%) Others (18%). I hereby recommend that the teenagers should be conscious of the causes of teenage pregnancy and never be influence by their friend’s advice or opinion. Parent should be aware of the company their children keep especially girl children, and always make available provisions for them.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Abstract iv
Acknowledge v-vi
Table of contents vii-x
List of tables xi
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1-2
1.1 Background of the study 2-3
1.2 Statement of the problem 3
1.3 Aims of the study 3
1.4 Objectives of the study 4
1.5 Significance of the study 4
1.6 Assumptions 5
1.7 Definition of terms 5
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature review 6
2.1 Definition of teenage pregnancy pattern of teenage 6
2.2 Pregnancy in developing countries 7
2.3 Socioeconomic factors associated with teenage pregnancy 7-9
2.4 Sociocultural factors associated with teenage pregnancy 9-10
2.5 Socio-demographic factors associated with teenage pregnancy 11-12
2.6 Risk factors associated with teenage pregnancy 12-18
2.7 Consequences of teenage pregnancy 18-20
2.8 Knowledge of and access to sexual reproductive health services 20-22
2.9 Barriers and challenges of access to sexual reproductive health services 22-24
2.10 Socioeconomic effects of teenage pregnancy 24-26
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research methodology 27
3.1 Study design 27
3.2 Study area 27-28
3.3 Study population 28
3.4. Sample size determination 28
3.5. Sampling technique 28
3.6. Study instrument 28
3.7. Data collection 28
3.8. Data analysis 28
3.9. Ethical consideration 29
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data analysis and presentation 30-37
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Discussion of findings 38-39
5.1 Summary 39-40
5.2 Conclusion 40
5.3 Recommendation 40-41
References 42-51
Appendix 52
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Distribution of age of the respondents 30
Table ii: The marital status of the respondents 31
Table iii: Last educational status of the respondents 31
Table iv: The occupational status of the respondent 32
Table v: The religion of the respondents 32
Table vi: Respondents response on about their understanding about teenage pregnancy 33
Table vii: Effect of teenage pregnancy on education 33
Table viii: Response on effect of teenage pregnancy 34
Table ix: Respondents that has been sexually abused 34
Table x: Factors that contributes for teenage pregnancy except one 35
Table xi: Respondents that had pregnant during teenage age 35
Table xii: Factors that led to pregnancy 36
Table xiii: Response on teenage pregnancy eradication 36
Table xiv: Response on how teenage pregnancy can be eradicated 37
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), defines teenage pregnancy as “a teenage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant and refers to girls who have not reached legal adulthood, which varies across the world” (UNICEF, 2008). Although it is considered a serious public health and social problem globally (Ganchimeg et al., 2014) approximately, 95% occur in developing countries (Loaiza, 2013). Teenage girls aged 15–19 years are twice more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to women in their twenties, whereas those under the age of 15 years are five times more likely to die (Omar et al., 2010).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), most of the pregnancies and childbirth are not planned and wanted, although a few are planned and wanted. Some of the complications associated with teenage pregnancy include: preterm labour, intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight (Rasheed et al., 2011) neonatal death, obstructed labour, genital fistula and eclampsia (Ayuba et al., 2012). Furthermore, their reproductive health is affected by unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections, sexual violence and limited access to medical services (Joesephine,2016). Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in a woman 19 years of age or younger. A woman can get pregnant if she has vaginal sex with a man at any age after she’s begun having regular monthly periods. (Holly, 2018). Despite being thought of as a healthy stage of life, there is significant death, illness and injury in the adolescent years. Much of this is preventable or treatable. During this phase, adolescents establish patterns of behaviour for instance, related to diet, physical activity, substance use, and sexual activity that can protect their health and the health of others around them, or put their health at risk now and in the future (WHO, 2021).
The 21st century heralds the largest global population of young people ever previously known with a total of 1.8 billion individuals aged 10–24 years, 90% of whom live in low-income countries. Young people represent more than one-third of the population in low-income countries, and one-sixth to one-fifth of the population in high-income countries such as the UK.( Jane, 2021).
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
According to WHO, (2020) Every year, an estimated 21 million girls aged 15–19 years in developing regions become pregnant and approximately 12 million of them give birth.1 At least 777,000 births occur to adolescent girls younger than 15 years in developing countries. The estimated global adolescent-specific fertility rate has declined by 11.6% over the past 20 years. There are, however, big differences in rates across the regions. The adolescent fertility rate in East Asia, for example, is 7.1 whereas the corresponding rate in Central Africa is 129.5.5. Pregnancy among girls 10–19 years remains a challenge that requires critical resolution all over the world. Despite this worrying sexual phenomenon, research pertaining to prevention information and related services in Sub-Saharan nations like Ghana is sparse (Bright et al., 2019).
The United Nations Population Fund (2013) reported that there are 580 million adolescent girls in the world; four out of five of them live in developing countries. As reported by the British Council Nigeria (2012),it is important to pay attention to the situation of women and girls particularly in a nation like Nigeria because it has the highest population in Africa (162.5 million people), of this magnitude, 49% are females (i.e. 80.2 million are girls and women). More importantly, 47% of Nigerian women are mothers before they reach 20 (Olukemi, 2020). The factors contributing to teenage pregnancy are multifactorial, ranging from individual-behaviour, traditional, and socio-cultural to religious in nature. Inarguably, low socio-economic status (Bonell et al., 2005) limited (Nour, 2006) and early sexual activity can perpetuate teenage pregnancy. Additionally, weak implementation of the Penal Code Act (which criminalizes sexual intercourse with girls below 18 years) and the Uganda National Adolescent Reproductive Health Policy by government institutions and a lack of community, social support and poverty are some of the determinants of teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, increased accessibility to social media and pornographic sharing (Joesephine,2016). cross cultural influences, and decreased supervision by adults, have led to early initiation of sexual activity by teenagers (Rachakonda et al., 2014) Studies have shown substantial reduction in birth rates globally, with Adolescent Birth Rate (ABR) declining from 61.8 to 22.3% per 1000 female adolescents aged 15–19 years. However, sub-Saharan Africa continue to have the highest ABR (WHO, 2016).
1.2 STATEMENTS OF THE PROBLEM
Morbidity, health and social problems from teenage pregnancies cannot be overemphasized. Teenage pregnancy has medical, psychological and social implications and can be for teenagers which are the beginning of social deviance. In Odode Idanre, the level of teenage pregnancy was up to 40% of all the registered antenatal clinic, I was very astonished that this rate is very high. Could it be as a result of poor parental care or low level of knowledge or sex education.
1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY
The study aims to discover the prevalent factors responsible for teenage pregnancies in Odode Idanre.
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are;
To critically examine the extent and predominant factor(s) causing teenage pregnancies in Odode Idanre
To determine the effects on the society using them as preventive tools to guide against the situation
To identify how the anomaly could be reduced in the society
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the extents and predominant factor(s) causing teenage pregnancies in Odode Idanre?
Are there effects on the society using them as preventive tools to guide against the situation?
How can the anomaly be reduced in Odode Idanre?
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study investigates in depth, the factors responsible for teenage pregnancy among the teenagers in Odode Idanre. This research work will help the teenagers to make the right decisions on sex related matters and become better mothers and fathers. The study will also draw the attention of the government to the alarming cases of unwanted pregnancies among the teenagers in the society so that necessary step or policy will be geared towards reducing the menace among the teenagers. Finally, this study might serve as an additional contribution to knowledge and could as well be a reference to other similar research works.
1.7 ASSUMPTIONS
Some youth assume that one-time sexual intercourse cannot lead to pregnancy
Some teenagers believe that sexual intercourse is a proof of maturity
Some teenagers believes that giving birth at young age gives respect.
1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERM
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Maturity is the quality or state of being mature; especially: full development.
Morbidity refers to the consequences and complications (other than death) that result from a disease
Teenager is someone who is between thirteen and nineteen years old.
Pregnancy is the term used to describe the period in which a fetus develops inside a woman's womb or uterus.
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system.
Sexual violence is an all-encompassing, non-legal term that refers to crimes like sexual assault, rape, and sexual abuse.
Unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is either unwanted, such as the pregnancy occurred when no children or no more children were desired.
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