Determinants of teenage pregnancies in Zimbabwe: evidence from the demographic and health survey.

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy remains a big problem in Zimbabwe. The interaction of proximate and indirect determinants has perpetuated the problem of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe, despite the government’s efforts and intervention mechanisms to put an end to it. This study investigates the socio-economic and demographic determinants of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe, as well as the associated risk factors. The study addresses the gap in the literature of lack of research on determinants of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe from a national perspective. This is done by using data from the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), which is a comprehensive national data set. The ZDHS sample of females aged 15-19 years, which was 2199 at the time of enumeration, will serve as the study sample. Accurate insights and inferences about the finite population represented by the survey will be ensured through the use of survey weights. The factors linked to teenage pregnancy are identified using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Religion, education, gender-based violence, and marital status were identified as socio-demographic factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe. Teenage pregnancy was also found to be linked to socio-economic status (SES), teenagers’ knowledge of contraceptive methods, and the ovulatory cycle. The study concluded that findings on the impact of education on teenage pregnancy have policy implications that cannot be overlooked, especially in light of the high rates of teenage pregnancy in Zimbabwe. To curb teenage pregnancy, education must be fostered and prioritized across all levels. Policymakers should make it possible for young women to remain enrolled in school by subsidizing or exempting school fees payment, especially for those who come from poor households. The government should also subsidize education and provide scholarships to young women who have children or who have become pregnant but want to return to school.