Determinants of change in the inequality and associated predictors of teenage pregnancy in Uganda for the period 2006– 2016: analysis of the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys
Loading...
Date
2021
Authors
Wasswa, Ronald
Kabagenyi, Allen
Muhumuza Kananura, Rornald
Jehopio, Joseph
Rutaremwa, Gideon
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Open
Abstract
Teenage pregnancy has become a public
health concern in Uganda because of its negative
consequences to both the mother and child. The
objective of this study was to examine the determinants
of change in the inequality and associated predictors
of teenage pregnancy in Uganda for the period 2006–
2016.
Study design A retrospective national cross-sectional
study.
Setting Uganda.
Participants Uganda Demographic and Health Survey
secondary data of only female teenagers aged 15–19
years. The samples selected for analyses were 1936 in
2006; 2048 in 2011 and 4264 in 2016.
Outcome measure The primary outcome was teenage
pregnancy. Analysis was performed using the logistic
regression, equiplots, concentration curve, normalised
concentration index, decomposition of the concentration
index and Oaxaca-type
decomposition.
Results The prevalence of teenage pregnancy
has seemingly remained high and almost constant
from 2006 to 2016 with the risk worsening to the
disadvantage of the poor. Household wealth-index,
teenagers’ years of education, early sexual debut
and child marriage were the main key predictors and
contributors of the large inequality in teenage pregnancy
from 2006 to 2016.
Conclusion Teenage pregnancy is disproportionately
prevalent among different subpopulations of adolescent
girls in Uganda. We therefore recommend policy actions
to sensitise communities and enforcement of child rights
and child protection laws to stop child marriages. There
is also need to promote girl child education, improving
household incomes, and intensifying mass media
awareness on the risks of early pregnancies. Further,
ensuring that villages have operational adolescent and
youth friendly services as well as incorporating sex
education and other different adolescent reproductive
health programmes in school curriculum will be key
measures in reducing the large inequality in teenage
pregnancy.
Description
Keywords
Inequality, Predictors of teenage pregnancy, Uganda, Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys
Citation
Wasswa R, Kabagenyi A, Kananura RM, et al. Determinants of change in the inequality and associated predictors of teenage pregnancy in Uganda for the period 2006–2016: analysis of the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys. BMJ Open 2021;11:e053264. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2021-053264