Early pregnancy and motherhood among young women in Sub-Saharan African countries: analysis of trends and associated factors

Abstract

This study examined the trends and factors associated with early pregnancies and motherhood among young women in three sub-Saharan African countries: Malawi, Mali, and Niger. Descriptive and multivariate analyses showed that the prevalence of early childbearing declined significantly in all three countries between 2006 and 2016. Moreover, the determinants of age at first childbearing varied across these nations. It is crucial to implement programmes that encourage delaying the age of the first sexual debut. In addition, providing adolescent women with comprehensive knowledge about responsible and safer sex practices and motherhood is paramount in addressing this challenge.