The Reason Why Teenage Pregnancy is High in Nigeria: Mrs. Roseline Akinlabi
News: 21/5/2025
Osun State Primary Health Care Board Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, said the reason for teenage pregnancy is child marriage and peer pressure. This was said during a programme that was organised by The Challenge Initiative (NGO). She narrated that sexual violence, rape, and early menstruation were also the cause for adolescent pregnancy.
She further made reference to the United Nations Children’s Fund data, that said Nigeria has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates worldwide. The data also shows that about 19 per cent of adolescent girls between the years of 15 and 19 has started childbearing.
She added that:
“Teenage pregnancy causes complications during childbearing like eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections, induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, infections, dropping out of school, hindering future educational and career opportunities. It cause stress and traumatic experience, potentially leading to depression, anxiety and mental health issues. Teenage pregnancy leads to unsafe abortion, physical abuse, denial of basic rights, psychological stress etc. That early adolescence starts between the ages of 10 14, when it is late, it starts between ages 15 and 19. In times like this they experience massive growth and development like puberty, maturity, and formation of a personal identity.”
She further added that, in order to reduce teenage pregnancy one has to against gender-based violence, empower the girl child, teach them sex education, have access to contraception.
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