Incidence, Attendant Health and Social Problems Associated with Pregnancies Among Adolescent Girls in Zango Kataf LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper determined the incidence and the attendant health and social problems associated with
pregnancies among adolescent girls in Zango Kataf LGA. A self developed questionnaire was the
instrument used for data collection. Survey research design was employed. The sample of the study
consisted of 281 pregnant and single parent adolescent girls in Zango Kataf LGA. Percentages and chisquare
statistics were employed for the analysis of data. The findings of the study revealed that the
incidence of pregnancies out of wedlock was high among both ages 11 – 14, 15 – 18 and 19+ adolescent
girls. The incidence of pregnancies out of wedlock was high among both Christian and Muslim adolescent
girls, but tend to be higher among Muslim adolescent girls. The attendant health problems associated with
pregnancies among adolescent girls were bleeding, maternal death and prolonged labour. Financial
problems, school drop out, feeding/maintenance, unplanned marriage and unemployment were the
attendant social problems associated with pregnancies among adolescent girls. There was no significant
difference in the incidence of pregnancies out of wedlock among age 11 – 14, 15 – 18 and 19+ adolescent
girls. There was significant difference in the incidence of pregnancies out of wedlock between Christian and
Muslim adolescent girls.