Effect of adolescent pregnancy on girls in Nigeria (Essay Sample)

Effects of adolescent pregnancy on girls in Nigeria Name Institution Course Date Instructor Effects of adolescent pregnancy on girls in Nigeria Adolescence as many of you know is the period between the ages of 10-19 years during which secondary sexual characteristics develop into full sexual maturity. Adolescent/teenage pregnancy is not exactly new to the world. It has existed since time immemorial and continues to exist. However, the rate of teenage pregnancies differs in each country for various reasons. In Africa, Nigeria tops the list with an adolescent fertility rate of 121 live births per 1000 births in 2008 as stated by the (National Population Commission on 15 July 2013) these trends vary significantly between the southern and northern zones and rural areas. In northern Nigeria, one in every three teenagers is likely to get pregnant whereas in the south it is one in every ten teenage girls.(NPC: 2013) teenage pregnancies are a global pandemic which has to be combated in unison as it is indiscriminate of race, religion or social status. The large number of adolescent pregnancies in Nigeria, according to experts, is greatly influenced by early marriage practiced in most parts of the country. The national HIV /AIDS and reproductive health survey shows that 73 percent of 13-19 year old girls are married in northeastern Nigeria. In addition to this, 71 percent of annual births in Nigeria is contributed by the teenage mothers in the northeast and west regions. There is therefore need for the government of Nigeria to intervene in preventing these marriages in a bid to curb adolescent pregnancies. (NPC: 2013). Other factors contributing to the high rate of teenage pregnancy include; early exposure to casual sexual activity, unmet needs for contraceptives, non-functioning family unit, and maternal deprivation. (Ethiopian journal of health sciences; 2012 march) Effects on health Every societal problem has its effects on both the individual and the society. Teenage pregnancy consequently has its impact on the teenagers, their parents, the children they bear and on the entire community. The greatest of the negative effects of teenage pregnancy is health complications. Such complications include; infection and inadequate nutrition, genital fistulae and spontaneous abortions. There is also likelihood of low birth weight relating to poor maternal nutrition. Low birth- weight babies are more likely to die than normal weight babies are. This is attributed to poor socio-economic status and lack of or inadequate antenatal and obstetric care. The rate of child deaths is therefore, proportional to number of teenage pregnancies acquired across the country. Pregnancy related deaths are, according to the Ethiopian journal of health sciences (2012) the cause of mortality for girls between the ages of 15-19 across the world. The socio-economic impacts of adolescent pregnancy include, but are not limited to; more unwanted pregnancies, marital distress and instability, poor education, fewer assets and lower income in adult life.(Ethiopian journal of health sciences; 2012) Effects on population and education These pregnancies also have an impact on the demographic status of the country in that the population increases at a higher rate than is sustainable. According to Pwanabeshi A. (July 12, 2013) 18 million - girls get pregnant every year. As a result, the economy of the country as a whole is strained. This then leads to the teenage mothers taking up odd jobs in various places having had to quit school in order to tend to their children. The jobs that they get at times cannot sustain them and therefore the children they bear miss schooling and the chain continues. This we call the poverty cycle. Teenage pregnancies also lead to further spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs because sexual abuse of the teenage mothers is on the rise. These teenagers, in later days, tend to live promiscuously and as a result, acquire illnesses or spread them. (Ethiopian journal of health sciences; 2013) Preventive measures In fundamental nature, several measures ought to be taken by the government as well as the vast majority to curb the alarming rate of adolescent pregnancies. These measures include, 1.Teen pregnancy prevention programs-These involve awarding organizations that most effectively influence a majority of the youth against early marriage and sexual activity as noted in the report by the National Conference Of State Legislature. These will spread fast, the initiative against early pregnancies and result in a reduced rate of pregnancies amongst the teenagers. 2. Sex education-This entails educating teenagers on the dangers of engaging in sexual activities at an early age and the impact it has on their li...