Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy among parturients in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital: a cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION: In Uganda, 12% of the audited maternal deaths occur among teenagers. The prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in health facilities is not well documented. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study between July and September 2019.We consecutively enrolled and collected information from 427 respondents. Associated factors were determined using logistic regression, a P-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 20.6% [95% CI : (17.0% – 24.7%)]. Rural residence [(AOR: 2.8 (1.08 – 7.09)], primary level of education [(AOR: 9.57 (3.48 – 26.3)], unhappy feelings about the current pregnancy [(AOR: 3.57(1.05 – 12.15)], primiparity [(AOR: 21.05 (7.36 – 60.15)] increased the likelihood of teenage pregnancy. While, history of ever use of contraceptives [(AOR: 0.32 (0.12 – 0.84)], age at coitarche [(AOR: 0.68 (0.54 – 0.85)], grand multiparity [(AOR: 0.06 (0.01 – 0.51)], and exposure to sex education at home [(AOR: 0.37 (0.15 – 0.89)] decreased its likelihood. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was high. It was associated with being resident in rural area, low level of education and ever use of contraception. Promotion of reproductive health education may prevent teenage pregnancy.