Prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancy in Pakistan: a trend analysis from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 1990 to 2018. Issue 2 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ali, Anna; Khaliq, Asif; Lokeesan, Laavanya; Meherali, Salima; Lassi, Zohra S
• Is Part Of: International health. Volume 14:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 176
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: demographic and health survey -- Pakistan -- teenage pregnancy; World health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 362.1091724
• DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1876-3413

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Teenage pregnancies carry an increased risk of adverse obstetric and health outcomes for mothers and children. Methods: This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancies over time in Pakistan using the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS). Data on 400 076 ever-married pregnant women aged 15–49 y from four PDHS datasets were used. Teenage pregnancy was the outcome variable, whereas a woman's and her partner's education, occupation, wealth quintile, region, place of residence and access to knowledge on family planning were the explanatory variables. Pooled prevalence was estimated and regression analysis was undertaken to produce an adjusted prevalence ratio with 95% CIs. Results: Although the prevalence of teenage pregnancy decreased from 54.4% in 1990–1991 to 43.7% in 2017–2018, the pooled prevalence was 42.5% (95% CI 37.9 to 49.6%). The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was significantly associated with place of residence, wealth quintile, education and occupation. Conclusion: Despite a growing focus on women's education, access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and contraception in the last decade in Pakistan, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is still high. There is a pressing need to develop appropriate strategies for increasing access to education, SRH services and use of contraception in Pakistan.