Effect of adolescents' demographic factors on reproductive outcomes affecting teenage pregnancy in Momba District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of teenage pregnancy in Momba District, Tanzania, focusing on teen background information and pregnancy rates, age at first marriage, and partner support. A stratified random sampling approach was used to ensure representation across different age groups and geographic areas focusing the five wards. The surveys included closed ended questions and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data. Pearson correlation, poison regression and multiple regression was employed to examine relationships between key variables such as age, education level, marital status, employment and reproductive outcomes.  Findings show that 30.4% of respondents were pregnant at the time of the interview and among them, 41.5% were experiencing their first pregnancy. The number of pregnancies varied, with just over half having had more than one. Notably, two-thirds of these had experienced two pregnancies, suggesting that many may have had their first pregnancy at a relatively young age. Number of pregnancies was not significantly associated with any socio-demographic factors tested in the Poisson regression model (all p > .05). However, age at first pregnancy was strongly associated with age (B = 1.429, p < .001), indicating that older respondents tended to experience their first pregnancy later. Education level was negatively associated with age at first pregnancy (B = -0.341, p < .001), while marital status was positively associated (B = 0.448, p < .001). Regarding partner support, both education level (B = 0.759, p = .024; OR = 2.135, 95% CI [1.107–4.117]) and marital status (B = 0.838, p < .001; OR = 2.311) were significant predictors, suggesting that married and more educated respondents were more likely to receive partner support. Recommendations include enhancing education access, implementing sexual health education, addressing early marriages, providing vocational training for girls, and improving adolescent-friendly health services.