Joëlle SOBNGWI1*, Flavien NDONKO1, Marthe TSAGUE AGNOUX2, Antoine SOCPA3
1Recherche-Sante et Développement,cameroun ; 2Université Catholique d'Afrique Centrale ; 3Université de Yaoundé I.
CaHReF 2018, Yaoundé Congres hall, 08 – 11 January 2019 , OSME015
Background: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. Pregnancy/birth during teenage are significant contributors to high school dropout rates. There is a strong association between maternal education and child survival. Women's access to education is a fundamental right, even more for teenage single mothers (TM).
Objectif: To identify the factors associated to school dropout (SDO) in a national representative sample of more than 20,000 single teenage mothers (TM)
Methodology: We used database from a national registry of 20,888 single TM (RENATA). From 2003 to 2012, a study was performed to collect data on TM, using a technique of snowball sampling. Girls who have ever give birth during adolescence (10 -19 years) and was not married at that time was considered TM. They underwent face to face interviews based on a questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, family background and reported sexual behavior. The main exposure was age at first childbirth. Following descriptive analysis, a serie of multiple binary stepwise logistic regression models were constructed to estimate the OR of school dropout.
Results: Among TMs, 41.6% dropped out of school because of pregnancy. SDO was more likely to occur in TMs who were sent away from their parental home because of pregnancy, with no formal/primary school education, and those who declared having single TMs in their family. SDO was less likely when TM received support from child's father, had no sexual partner for a year and TMs who had done HIV screening. The logistic stepwise models indicated a 74-134% increase in the likelihood of SDO for TMs who had their first child before 14 compared to those who had after 17 years old.
Conclusion/Recommandation: The study findings revealed a high risk of SDO in very young TMs, independently of socio-demographic, family and behavioral background. Actions should be taken by government, civil society organizations and families to promote safe sexual behavior - abstinence, faithfulness and family planning - in teenagers as well as to encourage schooling amongst pregnant teenagers
Key Words: Teenage mothers, School dropout, Family planning