Teenage Pregnancy and It’s Associated Factors among Teenagers in Leman Secondary School, Kersa Malima District, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy has long been a global social, economic, and educational issue. It bears significant health and social effects, as well as medical and psychosocial repercussions for teenagers and society. Some studies do not conduct human chorionic gonadotropin test (hCG) test in their study. Objective: This study aims to assess the magnitude of teenage pregnancy and its associated factors among teenagers of Leman Secondary school, Kersa Malima District, Oromia, Ethiopia 2024. Methods: An institution-based, cross-sectional study design was conducted among 368 teenage female students from January 15, 2024, to April 15, 2024. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. After the first respondent was drawn by the lottery method, every three students were self-administered, and hCG test then sampling was employed until the sample size was reached. Trained data collectors collected the data. A pre-test was conducted, and a self-administered structured questionnaire with an hCG test. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the data in relation to the variables. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to identify factor associated with teenage pregnancy. Result: The total prevalence of teenage pregnancy among teenagers of Leman secondary school was 9.5%with 95%CI (6.5-12.5). Not knowing the exact time to take emergency contraceptives (within 72hours following unprotected sexual activities) [AOR=6.99 (95%CI: 2.083, 23.455)], substance use [AOR = 5.82 (95%CI: 2.024 – 16.736)], Teenage married [AOR= 3% (95%CI: 0.01, 0.086)] and poor parent-daughter interaction [AOR=36% (95%CI: 0.141, 0.905)] were found to be significant factors of teenage pregnancy. Conclusions: The study revealed that the magnitude of teenage pregnancy among teenage female is found to be low. Factors such as knowledge of the exact time to take an emergency contraceptive, substance use, marital status, and parent-daughter interaction were all independently associated with teenage pregnancy. School-based reproductive health education, avoiding any substance use, avoiding early marriage, and strengthening parent daughter relationships are recommended for woreda health office, local NGO, Leman secondary school, health extension workers, students who are teenagers, parents/guardian.