Prevalence And Factors Associated With Teenage Pregnancy Among Mothers Attending Antenatal Care Clinic At Ntwetwe Health Centre Iv In Kyankwanzi.

Abstract

Introduction: Available statistics show that in Uganda, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is estimated to be as high as 25.9% (Wasswa et al., 2021a). the situation is worse in Kyankwanzi. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy among mothers attending ANC at Ntwetwe HC IV, in Kyankwanzi District. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis was used. A sample size of 304 respondents who were mothers was selected by multistage cluster and systematic sampling was used. Data was collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. Results: Out of the 304 mothers that participated in the study, the majority 213 (70%) had never had teenage pregnancy while 91 (30%) had ever experienced it. Teenage pregnancy was associated with: Age (χ2= 293.000, P=0.000), age at First pregnancy (χ2= 26.962, P=0.000) and whom the pregnant mother stayed with (marital status) (χ2= 22.819, p=0.000), Age at first sexual intercourse (χ2 = 12.384, p=0.006); Family planning method used (χ2= 15.913, p=0.003); Source of Family planning information (χ2= 13.404, p=0.020); as well as the source of family planning services (χ2= 23.397, p=0.001 at the α-level of 5%. Others factors were lack of planning for pregnancy (χ2 = 17.171, p=0.000); need for support (χ2= 18.540, p=0.000) and cultural orientation for girls to become mothers at an early age (χ2= 19.288, p=0.000). Conclusions: A third of the mothers had ever had teenage pregnancy. The study established that the factors significantly associated with teenage pregnancies among the study population were: Age of the mother, age at first pregnancy and whom the pregnant mother stayed with (marital status) as well as age at first sexual intercourse, Source of Family planning information, the method used and the source of family planning services. Unplanned pregnancy; need for support and cultural orientation for girls to become mothers at an early age were the other factors. Recommendations: The researcher suggests that: government ensures all health facilities have adequate infrastructure and skilled health workers for adolescent healthcare; health workers should ensure privacy and confidentiality for teenagers; should carry out outreaches in communities to sensitise teenage girls about the risk of pregnancy at an early age and should give comprehensive information on sexuality education to teenagers. Furthermore, teenagers should be supported to delay sex or use contraception to protect them from unplanned pregnancies.