Socio-Demographic Determinants of Adolescent Childbearing in Zambia

Nwamaka C. Nwogwugwu, University of the Witwatersrand and Population Council
Temitope O. Adeyoju, University of the Witwatersrand
Chidimma M. Mbanefo, University of the Witwatersrand

Adolescent childbearing is a major health concern because it is associated with higher morbidity and mortality for both the mother and child. In Zambia, adolescent childbearing is very high. At the age of 19 years 59% of adolescent females have had births. We need to highlight and understand factors associated with adolescent childbearing. As such, the purpose of this study was to identify the socio-demographic determinants of adolescent childbearing in Zambia. Out of the 1,598 adolescent females, 30 percent of married and 3.7 percent of unmarried adolescents were pregnant. The major factors associated with adolescent childbearing were age, age at first marriage, education, marital status and use of contraceptives. The odds for increased adolescent childbearing were significantly higher among adolescents aged 18-19 years who were married and used contraceptives. Adolescents with primary education, in employment and dwelling in the rural areas had higher likelihood of adolescent childbearing than their counterparts.