




































    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

1 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

TEENAGE PREGNANCY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL FEMALE STUDENTS 

IN IGBO-ETITI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE 

 

 

Raphael E Ochiaka 

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education 

Email: raphael,ochiaka@esut.edu.ng 

DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.11086078 

 

Abstract: The study investigated Teenage pregnancy among female   secondary school students in Igbo-Etiti 

Local Government area, Enugu State. Three research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide 

the study. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study.  A sample of 312 female students was used for 

the study which was drawn from a population of 6000female students from 15 public secondary schools using a 

two-stage sampling procedure. A structured questionnaire titled ”Teenage Pregnancy Questionnaire (TPQ)” 

which was validated by three experts, two of which were from Human kinetics and Health Education 

Department and one from the Department of Maths and Computer was used for data collection. Data collected 

with the help of three research assistants were analyzed using frequency count and percentages. The findings 

revealed among others that; peer group pressure, poverty and lack of parental care were factors responsible for 

teenage pregnancy, drop out of school, low educational achievement and unplanned marriage are consequences 

of teenage pregnancy and use of contraceptives, guidance and counseling are ways to  control teenage 

pregnancy among secondary schools students in Igbo-Etiti LGA. It was concluded that poverty, peer group 

pressure and lack of parental control for their female wards are responsible for teenage pregnancy among 

female students in Igbo-Etiti LGA. Based on the conclusion, it was recommended among others that the State 

Government through the Post Primary School Management Board, Enugu State should organize seminars and 

workshops for female secondary school students on the causes, consequences and control measures of teenage 

pregnancy among the female students. 

Keywords: Teenager, teenage pregnancy, secondary school teenage students. 

 

Introduction 

Teenage pregnancy is a major public health issue. The problem confront many high, middle and low income 

countries globally. Teenage or adolescent pregnancy means pregnancy in women between 10 to 19 years. 

Teenage pregnancy has been called an epidemic worldwide. Teenagers are the greatest number of people found 

in most secondary schools. They are those young persons within the age of 10 and 19 years. According to 

Living Webster Encyclopedic dictionary of the English Language (2014), these years fall within the adolescent 

period, at this period the individual seeks for those ties within the opposite sex and to secure identity. These 

behaviours may not be of their biological setting rather of societal expectations. As a result of the biological 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

2 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

instinct at this period, they may have high tendency to indulge in pre-marital sex, which may leave her in 

perpetual regret. 

This health problem seems to be popular among the female teenagers in the forms of teenage pregnancy (Festus, 

2019). These young people may be entangled in this due to the hindrance which may erupt as a result of 

exhibition of obnoxious behaviour encouraged by the media. Globally, million women under the age of 20 give 

birth representing up to one-fifth of all births and 529,000 women die due to pregnancy and child birth related 

complications every year (Dev Raj.Rabi, Arnudha, Van Teijlingen & Chapmen, 2016). Teenage pregnancy is a 

major concern to world communities with U.S being at the top with almost 1, 000,000 teenage pregnancies each 

year (Williams, 2022). The United State has highest pregnancy and births among adolescents (Coley & 

Lansdale 2017). According to the inter-pres service (2021), the global rate for teenage pregnancy for the year 

2011 was 52, 9 pregnancies, per 1, 000 female adolescent. In 2000, the total number of teenage pregnancies in 

the United State was 821, 81 (84 pregnancies per 1000 people), as compared to Canada whose total rate of 

teenage pregnancies in 2000) was 38 pregnancies per 1000 people (Chengaxhu 2020). 

In England there are nearly 90, 000 teenage conceptions per year around 1   7,700 girls under the age of 16 and 

2,200 of girls aged 14 or under (Holgate Evans & Yuen, 2021). The department of health (United Kingdom) in 

Macleod (2020) reported that in England and Wales, more women in their early twenties find themselves with 

unwanted pregnancies that end in abortion. The United State has the highest teenage birth rate of all developed 

countries (Crosson-Tower, 2015). According to Inter-Press service (April, 2015), teenage pregnancy accounted 

for 40 percent of maternal deaths in Sierra Leone where early marriage is supported by traditional practice. 

Seventy percent (70%) teenage girls' in Sierra Leone' are married (World Health Organization, 2018).  

The W.H.O figures showed that the global average number of pregnancies for every 1, 000 girls in the 15-19 

age group is 65. 

The rate of early marriage and pregnancy has decreased sharply in Indonesia and Malaysia, although it remains 

relatively high in the former. In African, the sexual behaviour of urban adolescents in Nigeria and Liberia is 

now very similar to that of people in the same age category in the USA and Europe (UNICEF, 2017). In the 

same continent (Arica), girls are often married at a younger age and are under pressure to give birth to children. 

According to (UNCEF, 2017) Bangladesh has aimed16 percent of fifteen-year old. Girls who are pregnant or 

already have children, whereas 75 percent of girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo and over half of all 

girls in Afghanistan and Bangladesh are married before the age of 13. The survey conducted by a leading 

international organization called” Save the Children” stated that annually 13million children are born to women 

under the age of 16 years and more than 90 percent in developing countries. It is also that the highest rate of 

teenage pregnancy in the world was found in the sub Saharan African (Achu, 2016). Being a teenager is one of 

the most wonderful and exciting times, as they grow from childhood to adulthood, it can be confusing and 

disturbing time too. At this period, young person begin to have their own opinion about what to do, what they 

want, what they want to wear, where to go and how to behave. This period is regarded as a period/time of 

increased emotional tension resulting from physical and psychological chance in the child (Alkinson, 2021). 

The above assertion further explained that the adolescent developmental tasks represent the total problems and 

must be solved during the transition from childhood to adulthood.  

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

3 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

Teenage pregnancy has claimed the lives of many female students in Nigeria secondary schools. Nzeagu (2016) 

noted that a degree of desperation follows and abortion either self-administered, or done by an unqualified 

person (doctor) is often considered. Health professionals are not consulted for pregnancy test, care or 

termination of fetus which often result because of the teenagers want to free herself from rejection by relatives 

and friends as well the shame the pregnancy would bring to her and the family. 

Research shows that teenage pregnancy could result due to various factors which include; economic factors 

such as quest for materialism, insufficient money for essential provisions and needs. Moreover, a social factor is 

another factor that contributes to teenage pregnancy, for example, influences of peer -group, unrealistic false 

marriage promises from boys and sexual permissiveness in the society, (Duvall, 2018). Religious factors also 

contribute to teenage pregnancy like lack of moral disciplines, lack of fear of God, lack of moral instruction. 

Nevertheless educational factors cannot be over emphasize for instance, the system of day school which permits 

students to roam about without supervision by the school authority. Ignorance of safe and unsafe period of 

menstrual cycle, insufficient sex education and lack of knowledge of family planning practices. Also, cultural 

factors also contributes to teenage pregnancy and they are as follows; inability of parent to discuss sex matters 

with their children's, quest for early marriage among girls. 

Teenage pregnancy has it consequences such as unable to finish their education. It also leads to being infected 

with sexual transmitted infections (STIs) to young people in secondary school and outside school. Apart from 

medical consequence, lower access to higher education, high divorce rates, premature death of women, 

population growth, week and unhealthy children and single motherhood are all negative consequence of teenage 

pregnancy. 

Furthermore, teenage pregnancy brings shame and distress to the teenagers and their parent, it also result to 

discrimination among his or her peer group. Another consequence of teenage  pregnancy is that they are being 

deprived of the right to choose their life partner, it becomes necessary to carry out this study on  teenage 

pregnancy, so as to help the teenager girls avoid been victims of unwanted pregnancy. It is against this 

background that the researcher intends to find out teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in Igbo-

Etiti Local Government of Enugu State. 

In these recent years, there is high incidence of teenage pregnancies in our society. Teenage pregnancy has 

made some of young girls to lose their life through abortion which is done by unqualified doctors.  Most 

teenagers who are involved in this act are usually unable to complete their education, teenage pregnancy is 

generally regarded as social and moral problems which often results in shame and distress to the teenagers and 

most often abortion and consequently death. This is worrisome, hence the need for the study.   

Purpose of the Study 

The main purpose of the study was to ascertain the teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in 

Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. Specifically, the study sought to: 

1 Find out the factors responsible for teenage pregnancy among secondary schools students in Igbo-Etiti 

Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

2.  Determine the consequences of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in Igbo-Etiti Local 

Government Area of Enugu State 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

4 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

3. Find out possible control measures of teenage pregnancy as perceived by secondary school students in 

Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. Of teenage pregnancy. It also looks at parents reactions to 

teenage pregnancy. 

Research Questions 

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study. 

1. What are the factors responsible for teenage pregnancy among female secondary school students in Igbo-Etiti 

Local Government Area of Enugu State?  

2. What are the consequences of teenage pregnancy among female secondary school students in Igbo-Etiti Local 

Government Area of Enugu State? 

3 What are possible control measures to teenage pregnancy among female secondary school students in 

Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State?  

Method. 

Research Design was used because it facilitates the description of situation in its current state and solicits 

information directly from the respondents, which makes the information from re 000 female students from 15 

secondary schools in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state. The sample size for the study consisted 

of 312 students in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state which was determined by the use of Taro 

Yamane (1964) formula.  Two-stage sampling procedure was used to draw the sample. Firstly, 6 schools were 

sampled out of 15 secondary schools in the area using simple random sampling technique. Secondly, also 

simple random sampling techniques was used to draw 52 students from the selected 6 secondary schools 

making a total of 312 students. 

A structured questionnaire titled “Teenage Pregnancy Questionnaire (TPQ)” was the instrument used for data 

collection.  The questionnaire consists of two sections -A and B. Section A contained items that solicit 

information on the personal data of the respondents. Section B has 4 parts, which carry a two point rating scale 

of “yes” and “no” that deals on teenage pregnancy.  

The validation of the research instrument was done by 3 experts, 2 from the Department of Human Kinetics and 

Health Education and 1 from the Department of Maths and Computer, all in Faculty of Education. Reliability of 

the instrument was established through the use of Cronbach Alpha statistics which yielded reliability value of 

0.75 confirming the reliability of the instrument. The questionnaire was administered on the sport with the help 

of 3 trained research assistants. Three hundred and twelve (312) copies of the instruments were administered on 

the sampled female students but 300 was returned and qualified for analysis,  

 The data collected were analysed using frequency counts and percentages. 

Results 

Research Question1: What are the factors responsible for teenage pregnancy?  

Among secondary school students in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area Enugu State.              

The above research question was answered using the responses of secondary school student as shown in table 

one below. 

 

 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

5 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

Table 1: Percentage Response Distributions of the Respondents on Factors Responsible for Teenage 

Pregnancy among Female sec   Secondary Schools students in Igbo-Etiti LGA 

 

S/N                           Items                             YES       %       NO       %        Dec 

 

1. Peer pressure     210   70  90   30       Agree 

2. Influence of pornographic films 78   25  222    75      Disagree 

3. Poverty     200    67  100    33      Agree 

4.  Lack of sex education        62          21      238    79       Disagree 

5.  Lack of self-control   98           33      202         67      Disagree     

6   Lack of parental care   187    62  113     38      Agree 

7       7  Broken homes   78   25  224      75     Disagree 

      7 Broken homes    78   25  224      75     Disagree 

 

 

Table 1 shows 7 factors responsible for teenage pregnancy of female sec school students.  

The table indicates that 3 of the items (peer group pressure, poverty and lack of parental care) are factors 

responsible for teenage pregnancy. This is shown by their percentage of 70%, 67% and 62% respectively. 

Research question 2 

What are consequences of teenage pregnancy among secondary school students in Igbo-Etiti Local Government 

Area Enugu State? 

Table 2: Percentage Response Distribution of the Respondents on  
 Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy among Female Secondary Schools Students in Igbo-Etiti LGA 

S/N    ITEMS                            YES     %       NO         %     Dec 

8.  Rejections by parents                             102             34          198     66      Disagree 

9.  Poor production of res blood call               62     21       238        79         Disagree 

10. Drop out from school                220       73        80      27      Agree 

11. Infection (STI)                 85         28        215       72        Disagree 

12.  Low educational achievement   281       94         1 9         6       Agree 

13.  High rate infant mortality                83         8          292         97        Disagree 

14.   Unplanned marriage                284        95        16           5        Agree 

Table 2 shows 7 items on consequences of teenage pregnancy of female sec school students. The table indicates 

that 3 of the items (Drop out of school, low educational achievement and unplanned marriage) are 

consequences of teenage pregnancy. 

 

 

Research question 3:  

What are possible control measures to teenage pregnancy in secondary schools? 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

6 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

Table 3: Percentage Response Distribution of the Respondents on Control Measures of Teenage 

Pregnancy among Female Secondary 

  School students in Igbo-Etiti LGA. 

S/N  ITEMS                                  YES    %    NO    %  Decision 

19.  Parent cares and attends to their children       36       12    240      80        Disagree 

20.  Use of contraception                                 220      73      80      27        Agree    

21.  Guidance and counseling                                 208      69     92      31        Agree  

22.  Avoidance of bad friends          264        88     36      12        Agree 

23. Through religious organization                      102      34     98       66        Disagree 

24.   Attending on seminars teenage                       62       21      238    79         Disagree 

Pregnancy 

25.  Through complete abstinence                     98        33 202        67               Disagree  

 

 Table 3 shows 7 items on control measures to teenage pregnancy of female sec school students. The table 

indicates that 3 of the 7 items (use of contraceptives, guidance and counseling and avoidance of bad friends) are 

control measures to teenage pregnancy 

Discussion of the Findings 

The finding pertaining to research question 1 showed that Peer group pressure, poverty and lack of parental care 

are factors responsible for teenage pregnancy among female secondary school students in Igbo- Etiti Local 

Government Area, Enugu State. This findings, agree with the views of Golden (2008) who stated that peer 

group influence is a critical factor   influencing the behavior of teenagers especially sex behaviours. They 

provide the norms or standards of operations for teenage girls   especially when their parents fails to discuss sex 

issues with them.  Meanwhile, Ojo and Femi (2008), noted that most teenagers find accommodations for 

themselves early in life. This exposes them to rich men for financial gains, which may lead to pregnancy by 

sleeping with these men in exchange of money 

The findings pertaining to research question 2 shows that low educational achievement and unplanned marriage 

are the consequences of teenage pregnancy. This finding is expected because a pregnant student supposed to 

withdraw from school immediately she is found to be pregnant. Pregnancy disrupts the educational career of the 

teenage girls, this may be temporary or permanent. Furthermore, teenage pregnancy hampers the mental 

prospect of the girls involved. A girl in this type of situation no longer marry the man of their dream, because 

they will be forced to marry any man available and willing to marry them at that point. Most parent portrays 

that attitude of disappointment on the teenager over pregnancy and by not supporting them financially. This 

finding are in-line with Eze (2021), who stated that the parents of the teenage girl may be disappointed and at 

such may decide to stop sponsoring her educations and social needs, because they see the previously help 

rendered or fees paid as wasted. 

The finding pertaining to research question 3 indicates that the use of contraceptives, guidance and counseling 

and avoidance of bad friends are control measures to teenage pregnancy among female secondary school 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

7 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

students in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area.  This finding is expected because use of the fact that use of 

contraceptive ensues 70% protection of pregnancy. This finding disagree with Paul (2018), which stated that 

complete abstinence is a complete effective method for preventing conception. 

Conclusions 

From the findings of the studies it was concluded that peer group influence, poverty and lack of parental care 

are the principal factors responsible for teenage pregnancy among female secondary school students and that 

that use of contraceptives, guidance and counseling and avoidance of bad friends are the control measures to 

teenage pregnancy.   

Recommendations 

The following recommendations were made based on the findings of this study. 

1.  Education through workshops and seminars on teenage pregnancy- causes, consequences and control 

measures- should be organized every term in schools for female secondary school students.  

2. Religious leaders-should advocate more emphases on moral discipline   through moral instruction, 

which can be delivered through teenage girls in the institution. 

3.    Health counselors should be assigned to every school and community so that they can give sex 

education to teenagers who are the vulnerable segment of the community, 

References 

Alkinson, R. (2015). Sexual standards and behaviours: Introduction to psychology. Oxford and 13th Publishing 

Co. 

Bola, R. O. (2016). Teenage pregnancy: The problem that has gone away. Chang'ach, J. K. (2020). Impact of 

teenage pregnancy on the education of the girl child: A case study of Keiyo South District, Keiyo, 

Marakwet County, Kenya. International Journal of Social Science Tomorrow. 

Crosson-Tower, C. (2015). Exploring child welfare: A practice perspective (4th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. 

David, F. (2015). The sexual enlightenment of children. Mosby Company. 

Dev, R. A., Rabi, B., Amudha, P., Van Teijingen, E., & Glyn, C. (2016). Factors associated with teenage 

pregnancy in South Asia: A systematic review. Retrieved from http://www.hsj.c.s.l.2005 

Festus, A. E., & Standford, G. P. (2019). Safety education. McGraw-Hill Book Company. 

Golden, M. (2019, July 7). Sex education and the youths. Daily Time. 

Harris, R. J. (2016). Magic, morals, and health. Maryland College Park. 

Holgate, H. S., Evans, R., & Yuen, F. K. O. (2021). Teenage pregnancy and parenthood: Global perspectives, 

issues, and interventions. Routledge. 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com


    

 American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 

Vol.9, Issue 2; March-April 2024; 

ISSN: 2994-0524 

Impact Factor: 6.14 

1252 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC, United States 

https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE; mail: topacademicjournals@gmail.com 

 
 

 

 

8 | American Journal of Medical and Physical Education 
|  https://topjournals.org/index.php/AJMPE 

Inter Press Service. (2021, November 2). Teen pregnancy: Buak global downward. IPS Inter Press Service. 

Kola, P. (2008). Guidance needs of Nigerian adolescents. 

Louis, J. O. (2016). Juvenile vagrancy: A sociological study of juvenile vagrants in the cities of Kanpur and 

Inknew. Asia Publication House. 

Ojo, A., & Femi, C. O. (2018). Marriage and adolescents in the tropics. Macmillan Nigeria Ltd. 

Oke, A. (2019). Secondary school health education. Harper and Brothers. 

Traffers, P. (2017). Adolescent pregnancy: Issues in adolescent health and development. World Health 

Organization. 

UNICEF. (2017). Nation master com. Home encyclopedia statistics. 

Williams, D. C. (2022, January 10). Sex education: Mothers have a big role to play. Nigeria Observer, p. 10. 

mailto:topacademicjournals@gmail.com

