Factors influencing age at first conception among adolescents in Soroti Uganda

Abstract

Background The study examined the socioeconomic and demographic factor influencing age at first conception among adolescents in Soroti district. Early conception increases the risk of early pregnancies. Early and unintended pregnancies among adolescents are associated with several adverse health, educational, social and economic outcomes. Furthermore, child birth is risky for adolescent girls and research indicates that pregnancy-related conditions are the second major cause of death among adolescent girls in developing countries Methods The study used secondary data which was from a previous survey carried out in Soroti district. The study had 424 adolescents where age at first conception was the dependent variable which was grouped into two; above 18 years and below. The independent variables were both socioeconomic and demographic. The data was analyzed in three phases, Univariate, bivariate and multivariate using STATA statistically software. Results The study confirmed that of 424 adolescent, its only 40 respondents who had ever conceived. The data was grouped into two groups, 35% of them conceived below 18 years of age. 65% of the adolescent women who conceived were 18 years and above. Condom use (OR= 0.071 C.I = 0.006 – 0.907 P values= 0.042) is significant in influencing age at first conception in Soroti district.

Conclusion The study found out that there is a significant relationship between condom use and age at first conception and the findings show that conception is highest the adolescents who don’t use condoms. The study therefore makes the hypothesis of condom use having a relationship with age at first conception to be kept