1.

0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background information

Teenager’s pregnancy is a worldwide problem. approximately 14 million teenage girls and

young women become mothers every year and this accounts 11% of births worldwide (WHO,
2009), United States has the highest level of teenage pregnancy amongst the industrialized
nations however teenage pregnancy is a health issue that has an effect on all of us (Akella ,2011).
A child having a baby as a teenager is more likely to face critical social issues like poverty, poor
education, risky behaviors that lead to poor health issues, and child welfare. Teenage pregnancies
are of concern because they have negative health and socioeconomic consequences for parents,
children and for the community as a whole Because of physiological immaturity, it can also
cause pregnancy complications to young mothers (Nalenga, 2012)
About 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years and two million girls under the age of 15 give birth

every year. Worldwide, one in five girls has given birth by the age of 18. In the poorest regions

of the world, this figure raises to over one in three girls. Almost all adolescent births 95% occur

in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among poor, less educated and rural

population (WHO, 2012).

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of pregnancies among adolescent girl’s accounts
for 28 per cent of adolescent mothers, with 15 per cent in West and Central Africa and 13 per
cent in Eastern and Southern Africa (UNFPA, 2013).
According to TDHS and TMIS (2010), teenage pregnancy revealed to have major health concern
due to its association with higher morbidity and mortality for both the mother and child. Frequent
childbearing during the teenage years justifies adverse social consequences, particularly for
educational attainment, because women who become mothers in their teens are more likely to
curtail their education.

Adolescent pregnancy is a public health concern both in developed and developing countries.
But it is very high in developing countries with low income like Tanzania. Teenage mother are
likely to suffer from severe complications during delivery