Teenage Pregnancy in Nigeria

Teenage pregnancy, can be referred to as pregnancy resulting from females between the ages of 13-19 who engage in sexual activity and become pregnant either intentionally or unintentionally.To illustrate how serious the situation of teen pregnancy is in Nigeria, I took a look at the recently published “Demographic and Health Survey 2013.” In Nigeria, an estimated 23 percent of teen girls aged 15-19 years have begun childbearing, of which 17 percent have had their first child and 5 percent are pregnant with their first child. Also, 32 percent of teenagers in rural areas have begun childbearing, as opposed to 10 percent in the urban areas of Nigeria.

CAUSES OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Teenage pregnancy has so many roots and issues leading to it of which;

Drugs and Alcohol

Teenagers may drink and experiment with drugs frequently with their friends at social gatherings and parties. Teens, however, do not realize the impacts alcohol and drugs have on the functioning of their brain, drinking excessively as well as experimenting drugs may lead to unwanted and unintentional pregnancy.

Lack of Sex Education

Sex education are not well taught or not even taught at all in schools which should expose them to the consequences and effects of teenage pregnancy. With their lack of education and knowledge about teenage pregnancy, these teens engage in unprotected and unsafe sexual activity. These teens do not know about the available contraceptives nor do they explore their options.

Peer Pressure and Sexual Abuse

Where classmates and friends who are into sexual intercourse lure and persuade others into. Peer pressure may also be prevalent in a different form while in relationships adolescents may be pressured by their partner to have unsafe and unprotected sex in order to express their “love” and “true feelings” for their partner. The partner may manipulate the other to have unprotected sex which leads to unintended pregnancy.

Media Influence

The media is of a great influence in unwanted pregnancy, where in pornographic pictures are viewed from the most popular social network ‘facebook’ and also youtube were lots of porn videos are been viewed by teenagers; all that reflect in their thoughts of which they would want to practice.

EFFECTS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCYThere are so many effects and consequences of teenage pregnancy, but I will mention the few and most common;

• Most guys would not later marry the pregnant girl after birth and some may deny the pregnancy which may lead to frustration and heartbreak.
• School Dropout: As many teens would not bear the shame of carrying pregnancy to school, which leads to halfway dropout of schools, and so many would not be able to continue schooling.
• Death: Teenage pregnancy is mostly unwanted, which many young girls would like to carry out an abortion, which eventually may lead to death. Also in the process of giving birth may also lead to death as the teen mothers’ reproductive system is not mature enough for the process.

PREVENTING TEENAGE PREGNANCYRate of the teenage pregnancy can be reduced by;

• Parents and other social and moral bodies should encourage teens not to have sex.
• The government should incorporate sex education as a major course in secondary schools.
• Avoid washing porn videos which is one of the major trigger to sexual intercourse that leads unwanted teenage pregnancy.

Presently, the percentage of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria is swiftly increasing, there by serious precaution should be taken to prevent it. You may want to disconnect friendship with negatively influencing friends, avoid washing porn videos and finally, if possible, totally abstain from premarital sex. Thank You.