The Magnitude and Determinants of Teenage Pregnancy in the Cape Coast Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of teenage pregnancy and identify the factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy in the Cape Coast municipality. Women in the fertile age group (WIFA) who were obviously pregnant and those who had delivered within the last year (April 1996-April 1997) were enumerated through a household survey. Three hundred and two households were surveyed in 21 randomly selected communities based on the population size of the four sub districts in the municipality. Two hundred and twenty nine pregnant and twenty non pregnant teenagers were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. The results of the study indicated that the prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 47.3%. The mean age of the teenagers was 18.2 years with a standard deviation of ± 1.8. The basic determinants of teenage pregnancy were school dropouts, unemployment especially among a high number of JSS graduates, single parenthood and poverty. Others included search for financial gain by striking up sexual relationship with boyfriends who were between the ages of 20 to 23. Peer pressure was found to be a major contributing factor to teenage pregnancy. However, contact with tourists did not appear to play any role. Although the hypothesis revealed that there was no difference between education, socio economic background and knowledge in reproductive health, there was a significant difference in the number of pregnant friends among respondents. (P=0.01) Based on the findings it is recommended that teens’ clinic should be established as a priority to cater for the counseling needs of teenagers. Youth placement centres should be established with the collaborative efforts of the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Business Advisory Centre (BAC). Parents should also be advised to improve upon their income with the needed assistance from BAC, and together with religious leaders, take it upon themselves to instil good moral training and discipline in their wards. Lastly, the Municipal Assembly should adopt a policy on measures to deal with men who impregnate teenagers. With these strategies, it is hoped that teenage pregnancy will be reduced.