ABSTRACT

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy  also known as pregnancy within the ages of 13_19 years . Is a common  public health problem with global estimate of over 16 million teenage birth yearly.  It is  one of the major causes maternal and neonatal mortality worldwide  with the majority of the cases  seen in the low and middle income countries. Cameroon has so far recorded the highest fertility rate among teenagers as from 2017_2020 in the entry country.Due to limited data , on assessing the awareness and prevention of teenage pregnancy among young girls, this study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of teenage pregnancy among internally displaced girls aged 15_ 20 years in Ekondo Titi community in the South West Region of Cameron.

Methods: A community_ based cross_ sectional observational study design was adopted for the research. A purposeful sampling technique was used to sample 100 participant’s   conducted in the Month of January 2022 to April 2022 at the District hospital and Ekondo Titi community. Data was analysed with the use of an SPSS method of data analysis and results presented in charts and tables.

Results: The result of this study showed the prevalence of teenage pregnancy 40%,with the leading causes  been lack of knowledge on contraceptive 88.% ,lack of parental control 84.%, peer pressure 98.%, rape 50.% early marriage 46.%, poverty 96%, alcohol 66.0%, (8.1%) abortion 96%, school drop_out 88%. This  result showed that the prevalence of teenage pregnancy  was highest in Age group 13_16years(65%)in this age group and (35% ) for the ages 19 _24 years.

Conclusion: It recommended that parents should take their responsibilities for educating their children, creating a regular time to them for quality discussion on variety of topics, providing their basic needs and controlling their activities, conduct and relationships.Thus will reduce the prevalence of teenage pregnancies.