The Impact of Family Economic Welfare on Teenage Pregnancies a Case of Pallisa District Olok Subcounty

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a serious public health and social problem which needs to be curbed if a nation is to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. The study aimed at investigating the impact of economic welfare on teenage pregnancy in Pallisa district in Uganda. The main focus was on the economic factors influencing the level of teenage pregnancy and the challenges faced by teenagers and suggest policy recommendations. Secondary and primary data was collected from teenagers and key informants, it was collected using a structured questionnaire.  A total of 298 respondents was considered selected randomly in  Olok sub-county. Data was coded and analyzed using STATA computer package. A Logit model was used for analysis. The results indicated that variables considered were significant however, out of school was the most statically significant with p-value 0.000, others included income of the parent or guardian with 0,212, access to health with 0.017, and employment with 0.011.  On the challenges the results indicated that, 68.2% lack of access to basic needs, poverty 33%, lack of school requirements, 49.4%, financial difficulty, were among the major challenges.  The study recommended that, increasing access to health care, increasing incomes of the parents/ guardians through employment, government to continue subsidizing education. Areas for further research included the extent to which school drop rates contribute to teenage pregnancy and effect of access to healthcare on the prevention of teenage pregnancy.