PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM 2018 NIGERIA DEMOGRAPHIC HEALTH SURVEY

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage of human development, during which lifestyle choices have long-term consequences on future health and wellbeing. Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health issue in Nigeria, with implications for education, health outcomes, and socio-economic development. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancy using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset. Methods: Data were obtained from the nationally representative 2018 NDHS household recode dataset, which employs a two-stage sampling design across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The analysis included women aged 15–49 years. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while chi-square tests and binary logistic regression identified associations between teenage pregnancy and explanatory variables. Statistical significance was set at p