Aproximately 15.2% of female adolescents aged 15-19 in Ghana have experienced pregnancy, highlighting the prevalence of teenage motherhood in the country.
This rate accounts for nearly one-fifth of the global prevalence, showcasing the significant impact within this age group.
Regional disparities are evident, with teenage pregnancy rates varying from 6% in Greater Accra to 26% in the Savannah Region.
Although alarming, there has been a decline in teenage motherhood from 19% to 11% since 1988.
These findings were disclosed during a zonal dissemination event of the Ghana 2022 Demographic and Health Survey.
The statistics emphasize a complex landscape of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood, with notable differences across regions.
The Ashanti region ranks second highest, with 24% of adolescent pregnancies recorded.
The dissemination of the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey brought together health experts, district, and assembly health executives to analyze the implications of the survey’s findings.
Head of the Social Statistics Section at the Ghana Statistical Service, Sarah Woode explained “It is not the best that within that age period we are having as many young women being pregnant.”
“This is a worrying situation that policymakers should do something about,” she said.
The Ghana 2022 Demographic and Health Survey serves as a comprehensive population-level study aimed at monitoring and evaluating the utilization and management of healthcare services across all 16 regions of the country.
Over a five-week period, the dissemination exercise focused on data collected from 15 key areas, including child health, malaria, infant and child mortality, HIV/AIDS, and health insurance.
Additionally, the survey explored topics such as marriage and sexuality, fertility, family planning, household water and sanitation, women’s empowerment, domestic violence, and agency, as well as consent and coercion.
Emmanuel George Osei, Director of Regional Offices at the Ghana Statistical Service, emphasized that the report will serve as a crucial source of information for the Ministry of Health, enabling the assessment of outcomes and impacts of health programs.
“Health facilities use our data a lot. This guides them in their policy evaluation and formulation regarding health issues in the country. The Ghana health service and the health ministry can use this in the light as well,” he said.