Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Malawi.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Teenage pregnancy is a challenge that society at large is faced with. This challenge is experienced primarily in developing countries, where an estimated 21 million girls aged between 15 and 19 years old become pregnant, with approximately 12 million giving birth in 2020. In 2018, the estimated average adolescent birth rate globally was 44 births per 1000 girls aged 15 to 19 years old. However, this rate in Malawi is significantly higher at 141. There are high health, social and economic costs of teenage pregnancy, and childbearing can lead to short and long term adverse consequences for the teen parents, the child and the community. Teenage pregnancies are more likely to occur in marginalized communities, commonly driven by poverty and a lack of education and employment opportunities. This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with pregnancy among young sexually active girls between the ages of 15 and 19 years old in Malawi. The study made use of data from a nationally representative survey, which resulted in an observed prevalence of pregnancy of 57.7% among the sexually active teenagers. Three statistical approaches were applied, namely a survey logistic regression model, a generalised linear mixed model and a spatial generalised linear mixed model. These approaches accounted for the complex survey design that was implemented during the data collection.The findings of the study outlined that age, the event of hearing of family planning on the radio, union type, socio-economic status, contraceptive use, and education level, among others, had a significant association with teenage pregnancy in Malawi. Such insight into the factors associated with and contributi ing to teenage pregnancy in Malawi can help all stakeholders develop policies and interventions that will address this challenge