Factors Influencing Teenage Pregnancy in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality- Eastern Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a social issue of public health importance that has received attention from many program designers, policy makers and most population researchers globally. It plaques both developed and developing countries, but it is more prevalent in developing countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many factors such as early marriage, peer influence, religious and cultural beliefs, teenage sexual behaviour and socioeconomic status have been linked to the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. The study, therefore, sought to investigate the factors influencing teenage pregnancy in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods: Cross-sectional research design was used to show and also help in investigating associations between influential factors and the outcome of interest. Purposive sampling technique was used because it enabled the researcher to include only the respondents that were needed for the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with STATA statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the factors that influence teenage pregnancy by summarizing them into percentages and frequencies. Household Socio-Economic status was derived through a principal component analysis of basic household assets. Pearson’s Chi-Square test and Logistic Regression analyses were respectively used to test and measure the strength of association between the outcome and predictor variables. Results: Of the 223 completed questionnaires, 43.95% reported being pregnant. The findings of the study indicated that school enrollment status, parents living status, peer influence on sex activities, and influences of social media on sexual behaviour were the major factors that influence teenage pregnancy (p<0.0001) within the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. Age, material status and occupation were also were statistically associated with pregnant status (p<0.0001). Majority of the responders (77.98%) who ever had sex before had a knowledge on contraceptives but 53.21% of them never used contraceptives. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is a public health menace in the municipality. There is, therefore, the need for the establishment of more “teenage health corners” to cater for the health needs of the teenagers. Extensive focus on girl-child education is also an important solution to deal with the increasing prevalence of teenage pregnancy.