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Teenage pregnancy is a public health concern in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Numerous findings in literature demonstrate the adverse consequences of teenage pregnancy. Tanzania is among the countries in Sub-Saharan that have experienced a high rate of teenage pregnancy but, the magnitude of teenage pregnancy and the contributing predictors are sparingly presented. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancy among Adolescents aged 13-19years in Dodoma Region. This was a community-based analytical cross-section study conducted among teenagers in Dodoma Region. A total number of 539 adolescences were included in the study. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0, in which descriptive statistics were used to summarize both numerical data using median and inter-quartile range (IQR) and categorical data through frequencies and proportions. Chi-square test was used to study the relationship between variables, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine predictors for teenage pregnancy. A total of 158(29%) of interviewed adolescences were either pregnant or ever been pregnant at their teenage. Majority of them 326(60.5%) had inadequate knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, 507(94.1%) had started sexual activities by the time of conducting this study and about 129(25.4%) of them had started sexual intercourse at the age before 14 years. After adjusted for the possible confounders, the predictors of teenage pregnancy were urban residence [AOR: 3.02, 95%CI: (1.60-5.68)], low parents education status of [AOR: 3.46, 95%CI: (1.47-8.11)], inadequate knowledge on sexual and reproductive health [AOR: 2.09, 95%CI: (1.2-3.63)]; low economic status [AOR: 3.83, 95%CI: (1.77-8.30)]; peer pressure [AOR: 2.92, 95%CI: (1.33-6.40)]; early marriage practices [AOR: 2.58, 95%CI: (1.57-4.26)]; and sexual abuse [AOR: 13.56, 95%CI: (7.98-23.06)]. This study concludes that there is a high prevalence of teenage pregnancy with limited knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. Majority of teenagers have started sexual practice as some at their early ages despite of the governmental, religious and family efforts to prevent them from initiation of sexual intercourse. The predictors for teenage pregnancy in Dodoma were urban residence, low knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, poor economic status, peer group, early marriage and sexual abuse. |
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