Association between Teenage Pregnancy and Family Factors: An Analysis of the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey 2017

Abstract

Adolescence is a key developmental period in one’s life course; health-related behaviors of adolescents can be linked to lifelong consequences, which affect their future health. Previous studies highlight the role of family and its significant association with adolescents’ health. In East Asia and the Pacific, the Philippines is the only country that is showing an upward trend of teenage pregnancy while other countries in the region have declining teenage pregnancy rates. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the association between teenage pregnancy and family factors, specifically parent structure. Data for the study were extracted from the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey 2017. All adolescent women aged 15–19 years old (n = 5120) were included in the analyses. The dependent variable was teenage pregnancy, while parent structure, defined as a presence or absence of parents in the domicile, was the exposure variable. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized in assessing the association of teenage pregnancy and family factors after adjusting for several potential confounders. Adolescent women were more likely to become pregnant as a teenager when they lived with neither parent (aOR = 4.57, 95% CI = 2.56–8.15), were closer to 19 years of age (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.91–2.46), had knowledge of contraception (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.22–1.32) and lived in a big family (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.20). Furthermore, adolescent women who lived with neither parent and belonged to the poorest wealth quintile were more likely to become pregnant as a teenager (aOR = 3.55, 95% CI = 1.67–7.55). Conversely, educational attainment higher than secondary education (aOR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01–0.49) and those who belonged to the richest wealth quintile (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.18–0.92) exhibited a statistically inverse association with teenage pregnancy compared with those with no education and from the middle wealth quintile, respectively. Living with neither parent was found as a risk factor for teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, we found that several sociodemographic factors exhibited a non-uniform increment and reduction in the risk of teenage pregnancy.

Determinants of adolescent pregnancy among adolescents in Wakiso and Kamuli Districts in Uganda; a case control study

“…This is contrary to what has been reported in literature. (Tabei K et al, 2021). In our study, it is possible that the small families were those where adolescents were "married" with one child, making it a small household.…”

“…This was a surprising nding. However, a recent study indicated the same nding (Tabei K et al, 2021) It indicates that knowledge alone is not enough to prevent pregnancy among adolescents. It is also possible that they acquired the knowledge after getting pregnant.…”

“…Those who are ot-of-school are usually very poor and the increased needs coupled with little access to contraceptives predisposes them to pregnancy. Poverty has been noted to predispose to adolescent pregnancy (Tabei K et al, 2021). Several studies included in systematic reviews have demonstrated that keeping adolescents in school is protective against adolescent pregnancy (Kassa GM, Arowojolu AO, Odukogbe AA, Yalew AW, 2018; Pradhan R et al, 2015).…”

Social Environmental Factor of Unwanted Pregnancy: An Experience of Mothers and Adolescents with An Unwanted Pregnancy

“…Living with neither parent was found as a risk factor for teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, we found that several sociodemographic factors exhibited a non-uniform increment and reduction in the risk of teenage pregnancy (Tabei et al, 2021).…”

Exposure to family planning messages and teenage pregnancy: results from the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey

“…In addition to policy issues, socio-demographic factors were also found to contribute to the burden of adolescent pregnancy in the country [17,18]. Teenage girls with higher educational attainment and women from wealthier households were found to be less likely to be pregnant than women with lower educational attainment and women from poorer households [17][18][19]. In addition, contraceptive use was found to be associated with adolescent pregnancy, but is more likely due to improper use and/or usage after pregnancy [18].…”