PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM 2018 NIGERIA DEMOGRAPHIC HEALTH SURVEY

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage of human development, during which lifestyle choices have long-term consequences on future health and wellbeing. Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health issue in Nigeria, with implications for education, health outcomes, and socio-economic development. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancy using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset. Methods: Data were obtained from the nationally representative 2018 NDHS household recode dataset, which employs a two-stage sampling design across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The analysis included women aged 15–49 years. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while chi-square tests and binary logistic regression identified associations between teenage pregnancy and explanatory variables. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 (two-sided), and analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 21,911 women aged 15–49 years were analyzed. Most respondents were married or in a union (94.2%), and the majority were Muslims (61.4%). Teenage pregnancy was significantly associated with several factors. Independent predictors included residing in the North East (AOR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.31–1.98), belonging to the poorer wealth class (AOR=1.64; 95% CI: 1.42–1.90), having no formal education (AOR=3.03; 95% CI: 2.44–3.76), and having only primary education (AOR=3.96; 95% CI: 3.21–4.90). Early sexual debut also increased the risk of teenage pregnancy (p<0.001). Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy prevalence remains high in Nigeria. Key predictors include education level, partner’s education, residence, region, ethnicity, wealth index, and early sexual initiation. Strengthening adolescent-friendly reproductive health services is essential to mitigate this burden.