Prevalence of teenage pregnancy and its associated factors among adolescent girls in Ghana

Teenage pregnancy is a major public health concern globally, with exceptionally high rates in low-and middle-income countries, such as Ghana. It is associated with adverse maternal health outcomes, educational disruptions, and socioeconomic disadvantages. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Ghana. The most recent 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey dataset with a weighted sample of 2,835 adolescent girls aged 15–19 years was used for the study. We used percentages and confidence intervals (CIs) to present the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. A mixed-effect multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with teenage pregnancy using a four-modeled approach. The results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% CI and intra-cluster correlation coefficient. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy among girls aged 15–19 was 15.2% [13.7, 16.9]. Adolescents aged 18–19 [aOR = 11.81, 95% CI = 6.90, 20.22] had higher odds of teenage pregnancy than those aged 15–17. The odds of teenage pregnancy was higher among adolescents who heard of family planning messages at community meetings and events [aOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.23, 3.53] than their counterparts who did not. Adolescents with secondary/higher education [aOR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.41 and those who heard of family planning on social media [aOR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.48] had lower odds of teenage pregnancy compared to those with no formal education and those who did not hear family planning messages on social media, respectively. Adolescents in the Greater Accra [aOR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.52] and Upper East [aOR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.41] regions had lower odds of teenage pregnancy than those living in the Savannah region. Teenage pregnancy is prevalent in Ghana with substantial regional variations. Factors associated with teenage pregnancy include older age of the adolescent, mass media exposure, level of education, and region of residence. Implementing comprehensive sex education programs and increasing access to family planning services could lead to a reduction in teenage pregnancy. Also, leveraging the mass media platforms to disseminate evidence-based information, such as the heightened effects of teenage pregnancy, and addressing sociocultural norms and values is recommended.