Risk Factors for Pregnancies Among Females Age 15 to 19 in Rwanda: A Secondary Data Analysis of the 2014/2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS)

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a significant public health problem in developing countries. Due to biological and social factors, teenagers have more negative health outcomes when pregnant. Pregnancy also causes teenagers to drop-out from school, affecting their job opportunities and long-term financial security. As the risk factors for teenage pregnancies are complex and context-specific, effective strategies to reduce teenage pregnancies must be informed by evidence.

This study analyzed the data collected by the 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey in Rwanda. The risk factors associated with 2768 females aged between 15-19 years in the dataset were identified using logistic regression.

The overall teenage pregnancy rate was 7.3%. Teens were more likely to have a teenage pregnancy if they were 17 years old (OR=7.04, 95%CI: 2.67 - 18.58, p<0.001), 18 years old (OR=3.78, 95%CI: 1.36 - 10.47, p=0.011), and 19 years old (OR= 3.85, 95%CI: 1.34 - 11.01, p=0.012) compared to teens under 16 years old. Those with secondary or higher education (OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.22 - 0.61, p=<0.001) were less likely to have a teenage pregnancy compared to those with primary school only. Teens had higher odds to have teenage pregnancy if they were married/in union (OR= 45.9, 95%CI: 21.34 - 98.73, P<0.001), and interestingly, if they were using contraceptive methods (OR= 68.9, 95%CI: 29.49 - 160.80, P<0.001).

Policy makers should consider programs keeping girls in schools and ensuring that teenagers have access to reproductive health information and reliable contraceptive methods at an early age. Teenage marriage should be discouraged.