Prevalence And Determinants of Teenage Pregnancy in Liberia: Evidence from the 2013 And 2019 Liberian Demographic and Health Surveys

Abstract

The increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy in Liberia is regarded as a major social and public health challenge. A study was undertaken to  establish the prevalence and determinants of teenage pregnancy in Liberia. Data was extracted from the 2013 and 2019 Liberia Demographic and  Health Surveys. The study shows that the teenage pregnancy rate increased in Liberia from 2013 to 2019. Chi–square test and logistic regression  were used to establish the factors influencing teenage pregnancies. –Age, wealth index, region, type of place of residence, age of household head,  marital status, and knowledge and use of contraceptives were significantly associated with teenage pregnancy. The results of the logistic regression  analysis differentiated between those adolescents that were less or more likely to experience teenage pregnancy. The study concluded that to  reduce teenage pregnancy in Liberia, there is a need to strengthen adolescent reproductive health programmes focusing on young women,     particularly those from poor households.