Adolescent fertility rates in a rural community in north-western Zambia: a retrospective study

Abstract

Adolescent fertility rate is defined as the number of births per 1000 in women aged 15–19 years. These rates are highest in sub-Saharan Africa. National data from Zambia suggest the rate has declined from 179.6 in 1960 to 87.9 in 2015.

A retrospective study was performed at Chitokoloki Mission Hospital using the hospital delivery registers during January 2008 to December 2015. In this period, 945 (20.81%) births were to adolescent mothers. As morbidity is significant in this vulnerable group, strategies to reduce pregnancy rates among these young girls is much-needed.

Keywords

Adolescent fertility rural Africa Zambia pregnancy teenagers birth rate

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