Teenage Pregnancy in Nigeria: Implications for Maternal Health

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a public health problem that has adverse social, economic and health outcomes in adolescent girls especially in developing countries.The aim of this paper is to highlight the current situation of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria and draw attention to the menace this situation may pose to maternal health. Teenage pregnancy has been attributed to poverty, illiteracy, early girl marriage, violence and other socio-cultural factors. Adverse health outcomes of teenage pregnancy include increased maternal and infant mortality, complications of pregnancy and increased risk of cervical carcinoma. Therefore, addressing and urgently reducing teenage pregnancy in Nigeria will not only help to improve maternal health but also the health of the baby thereby reducing infant mortality.