Determinants of Adolescent Fertility in Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia
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Date
2021-09
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy and fertility are often discussed in literature as
causes of health concern and as a social problem. High teenage fertility is recognized as a
worldwide challenge given its adverse consequences. In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent
childbearing remains common. Maternal and child mortality is greatly affected by adolescent
pregnancy and contribute hugely to the vicious cycle of ill-health and poverty.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the determinants of adolescent fertility in Oromia National
Regional State of Ethiopia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional sample survey design using stratified cluster sampling
method by the Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2016 (EDHS-2016) was used. After the
data for adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years were extracted from the large data set,
descriptive statistics and logistic regression were done. Multivariable logistic regression
model was fitted to identify socio demographic and economic determinants of adolescent
fertility.
RESULTS: A total of 415 adolescent girls from Oromia regional state were included in the
selected sample in EDHS-2016. The prevalence of adolescent girls who ever had a child or
pregnant was 17 %. Adolescents who had no education and primary education were 5.5 and
5.3 times more likely to have a child or be pregnant than those with secondary and above
education respectively. [AOR=5.5; 95%CI (1.38,22.29)] [AOR=5.3; 95% CI (1.53,18.46)]
Those ever married adolescents were 138 times more likely to have a child or be pregnant
than never married adolescents. [AOR=138.7; 95% CI (70.83, 271.83)
CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of female adolescents in Oromia regional state
had a child or was pregnant already. Being married and at low level of education were
significant predictors of adolescents’ fertility status. In addition even though almost
universally adolescents know about contraceptives (97%) utilization level is very low (4%).
RECOMMENDATION: Concerned stakeholders should work towards supporting girls’
education and delaying marriage of adolescent girls
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Keywords
Adolescent fertility, Oromia, Marriage, Contraceptive use