Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy among Unmarried Adolescents in Selected Communities of Ogun State, Nigeria

Unplanned pregnancy is a leading reproductive health problem among unmarried adolescents in Nigeria. A clinic and community survey of 1,041 respondents in selected communities of Ijebu North local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria, showed that a substantial proportion of the female respondents (21.5% urban and 8.8% rural) had their first child during adolescence. 11.8% of the pregnant female respondents interviewed were unmarried adolescent girls who rarely used contraceptives and lacked access to sexuality education before becoming pregnant. Child-neglect (50.4%) and ignorance of sex related issues among adolescents (37.5%) were reported as the proximate causes of the adolescent pregnancy in the communities studied. Many of the respondents (49.1% urban and 69.1% rural) condemned the use of contraceptives by adolescents. A smaller proportion of the general respondents (9.9% urban and 20.4% rural) perceived sexuality education as inappropriate for unmarried adolescents. The findings suggest the need for appropriate educational interventions on sexual and reproductive health. Emphasis of such interventions targeting the adolescents should be on the risks associated with sex particularly if unprotected.