Teenage pregnancy and its predictors in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Although teenage pregnancy has declined in the last decade, it remains a major public health issue in Africa. Maternal mortality is common among teenagers due to their increased risk of obstetric and medical complications. In Africa, there is a lack of robust and comprehensive data on the prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancy. As a result, this systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to summarize evidence that will assist concerned entities in identifying existing gaps and proposing strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy in Africa. METHODS: The review is registered by the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42021275013). This search included all published and unpublished observational studies written in English between August 23, 2016, and August 23, 2021. The articles were searched using databases (PubMed, CINHAL [EBSCO], EMBASE, POPLINE, Google Scholar, DOAJ, Web of Sciences, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS). Data synthesis and statistical analysis were conducted using STATA version 14 software. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence and odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of meta-analysis using the random effect model. RESULTS: A total of 43,758 teenagers (aged 13–19) were included in 23 studies. In Africa, the overall pooled prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 30% (95% CI: 17–43). Western Africa had the highest prevalence of teenage pregnancy 33% (95% CI: 10–55). Age (18–19) (OR = 2.99 [95% CI = 1.124–7.927]), wealth index (OR = 1.84 [95% CI = 1.384–2.433]), and marital status (OR = 6.02 [95% CI = 2.348–15.43]) were predictors of teenage pregnancy in Africa. CONCLUSION: In Africa, nearly one-third of teenagers become pregnant. Teenage pregnancy was predicted by age (18–19), wealth index, and marital status. Strengthening interventions aimed at increasing teenagers’ economic independence, reducing child marriage, and increasing contraceptive use among married teenagers can help to prevent teenage pregnancy.