Factors associated with early childbearing among adolescents aged 15–19 in Mozambique

Early childbearing is a major public health and social concern and it remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest proportion of adolescent births compared with other regions of the world. Early childbearing is often associated with health risks for both the adolescent mothers and their infants. It is associated with negative socioeconomic consequences for adolescent mothers, their infants, their families, and the government. The aim of the study was to investigate factors associated with early childbearing among Mozambican adolescents aged 15–19. The 2022–2023 Mozambican Demographic and Health Survey data were used. A multivariate binary logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with “early childbearing” among Mozambican adolescents aged 15–19. Being an older adolescent, living in a large household, being married, being formerly married, having limited access to utilities, using contraceptives, and having limited exposure to media were associated with increased odds of early childbearing. Having a secondary or higher education level, desiring to have children, being undecided about having children, having no contraceptive knowledge, and not visiting a health facility were associated with the reduced odds of early childbearing. The study has established factors associated with early childbearing among Mozambican adolescents. Age, household size, education level, marital status, access to all utilities, desire for children, contraceptive use, contraceptive knowledge, health facility visit, and exposure to media were associated with early childbearing. There is a need to strengthen school retention programme to prevent adolescents school dropout and help others to return to school.