Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in refugee settlements of northern Uganda post-COVID-19 (2020–2023): a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFollowing the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in teenage pregnancies nationally, however, limited data exists regarding the same among girls living in refugee settlements.ObjectivesWe evaluated the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Palorinya and Bidi Bidi r...

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Vydáno v:BMJ open Ročník 14; číslo 12; s. e089361
Hlavní autoři: Otika, Donald, Odongo, George, Muzaki, Ruth Mary Mary, Lamwaka, Beatrice Oweka, Bongomin, Felix, Pebolo, Francis Pebalo
Médium: Journal Article
Jazyk:angličtina
Vydáno: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 28.12.2024
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
BMJ Publishing Group
Témata:
Adolescence
Adolescent
Adolescents
Births
Child marriage
COVID-19
COVID-19 - epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Original Research
Pregnancy
Pregnancy in Adolescence - statistics & numerical data
Prevalence
Refugees - statistics & numerical data
Reproductive Medicine
Risk Factors
SARS-CoV-2
Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data
Teenage pregnancy
Teenagers
Uganda - epidemiology
Young Adult
Uganda
Pregnancy
Cross-Sectional Studies
Adolescents
ISSN:2044-6055, 2044-6055
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Shrnutí:BackgroundFollowing the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in teenage pregnancies nationally, however, limited data exists regarding the same among girls living in refugee settlements.ObjectivesWe evaluated the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Palorinya and Bidi Bidi refugee settlements in Obongi and Yumbe districts of northern Uganda, in the post-COVID-19 era.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional study.SettingRefugee settlements in northern Uganda.ParticipantsWe included 385 teenage girls aged 15–19 years.MethodsWe used convenience sampling techniques between March and May 2023. Prevalence of teenage pregnancy was assessed by self-reported pregnancies between January 2020 and May 2023 among participants. We conducted Pearson’s χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests for bivariate analysis. All variables with a p value<0.2 at bivariate analysis were included in multivariable regression. We applied a modified Poisson regression model at the multivariable level to evaluate independent associations. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was the prevalence of teenage pregnancy, assessed through self-reported pregnancies among participants. Secondary outcome measures included factors associated with teenage pregnancy, such as living with a husband, lack of formal education, peer pressure and history of sexual abuse.ResultsOverall, the mean age was 17 (IQR: 15–18), and sexual debut was at 16 (IQR: 15–17) years. Lifetime modern contraceptive use was 13.8% (n=53/385) and current use was 7.5% (n=29/385). Teenage pregnancy period prevalence was 34.0% (CI: 29.4% to 38.9%). Factors independently associated with teenage pregnancy were: living with a husband (aPR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.51 to 5.84, p<0.001), lack of formal education (Adjusted Prevalence Ratios - aPR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.26 to 4.35, p=0.007), peer pressure (aPR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.54 to 2.86, p<0.001) and history of sexual abuse (aPR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.99, p=0.018).ConclusionOur study revealed that around 1 in 3 adolescent girls in northern Uganda’s refugee settlements experienced pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 1 in 13 currently using modern contraceptives. To address this, targeted strategies by relevant authorities are crucial, including legal actions against sexual abuse, promoting girl child education and enhancing access to long-term contraception to reduce teenage pregnancy and associated health risks in these settings.
Bibliografie:Original research
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SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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None declared.
ISSN:2044-6055
2044-6055
DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089361