Spatial and Environmental Antecedents of Prevalence of Teenage Pregnancy in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Abstract

This paper examines the spatial and environmental dynamics of teenage pregnancy in Yenagoa, intending to understand the complexity of spatial and environmental antecedents of teenage pregnancy to reduce early childbearing and improve the livelihood and wellbeing of young women. A multi-stage sampling technique involving three stages was adopted. A set of structured questionnaire was administered systematically upon 415 statistically determined respondents. Results revealed that 46.3% of the respondents are less than 14 years, 48.4% are between 15-19 years and 5.3% are over 20 years. Result of ANOVA showed that teenage pregnancy varies significantly over space with f values of location/neighbourhood (F=3.700), education (F= 3.694), household size (F=1.059) at 0.5 significance level. Result of the logistic regression revealed that the likelihood of teenage pregnancy in Yenagoa is influenced by wrong use of contraceptives with exponential beta (Exp?) ratio of 4.994, followed by household size (1.293), housing quality (1.175) and neighborhood (1.119). Teenage pregnancy as a complex problem requires a comprehensive approach to reduce its occurrence, enhance life opportunities and actualize the life plans of these young mothers.