Perceived Causes of Teenage Pregnancy among Female Students in Secondary Schools in Aba North, Abia State, Nigeria: Students’ and Teachers’ Perspectives

Background: Teenage pregnancy remains a major health and educational concern for adolescent girls in Nigeria, yet evidence from Aba North, Abia State, is limited. Aim: To examine the perceived causes of teenage pregnancy among female secondary school students in Aba North from the perspectives of students and teachers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in two senior secondary schools between February and May 2023. A structured four-point Likert questionnaire was completed by 62 students (82.7% response) and 11 teachers. Six possible causes were rated, and data were analysed with frequencies, percentages and mean scores against a criterion mean of 2.50. Results: All six factors exceeded the criterion mean in both groups. Students ranked lack of education on safe sex (mean = 3.61) and lack of parental care and guidance (3.60) highest, followed by sexual abuse by older men (3.31), peer influence (3.27), culture of early marriage (3.03) and poverty (2.69). Teachers ranked safe-sex education and peer influence highest (both 3.64), and all teachers agreed with the first four factors. Poverty ranked lowest in both groups; teachers’ views on it were divided (7 strongly agreed, 4 strongly disagreed). Conclusion: Students and teachers saw gaps in sexuality education and parental guidance as the leading causes of teenage pregnancy. School-based sexuality education, parent engagement and protection of girls from sexual exploitation deserve priority. The findings reflect perceptions in two schools and should be interpreted cautiously.