Adolescent Pregnancy in Nigeria: A Narrative Review of Prevalence, Causes and Outcomes
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Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy remains a pressing public health and social challenge in Nigeria, where young women face elevated risks of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, early marriage, limited sexual and reproductive health education, and ongoing insecurity in parts of the country contribute to unintended pregnancies among girls aged 10–19.
Methods: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from 66 articles, including peer-reviewed papers and national survey data published from 2000 to 2024. Searches were conducted across MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and gray-literature sources (WHO, UNFPA, NDHS).
Results: Nationally, 15% of girls ages 15–19 have experienced pregnancy, with rural rates (17.3%) exceeding urban rates (4%). Regional variation is evident: prevalence ranges from 1.5% in Edo State to 24.1% in Jigawa, while northern states such as Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kaduna report hotspots exceeding 30%. Key factors include low educational attainment, poverty-driven early marriage, peer pressure, restrictive gender norms, and inadequate family communication.
Conclusion: Effective reduction of adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria requires multisectoral strategies that integrate comprehensive sexuality education, culturally tailored community engagement, improved access to youth-friendly health services, and socioeconomic support for high-risk groups. Future research should evaluate long-term psychosocial trajectories and the impact of targeted nutritional and mental health interventions to inform sustainable policy solutions.
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