Prevalence and Predictors of Adolescent Pregnancy in Urban and Semi-Urban Areas of Ilorin, Kwara State

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence and underlying predictors of adolescent pregnancy among female students in urban and semi-urban areas of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 600 adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 through a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The findings revealed a 14.5% prevalence rate of adolescent pregnancy within the sample population. Further analysis identified significant predictors including early initiation of sexual activity, inadequate parental monitoring, and limited exposure to reproductive health education. Socioeconomic factors and peer influence also emerged as contributing variables. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions such as comprehensive sexuality education, improved parental involvement, and the provision of youth-friendly reproductive health services within schools and communities. These measures are essential to reduce adolescent pregnancy and its associated health, social, and economic consequences. Stakeholders in education, health, and social welfare sectors must collaborate to implement sustainable strategies that address the multifaceted dimensions of teenage pregnancy. The results contribute to the growing body of knowledge on adolescent reproductive health and provide a foundation for policy formulation and program development tailored to the unique challenges faced by young girls in Ilorin and similar contexts.