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Table 4 Factors influencing adolescent pregnancy in Zambia

From: Prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancies in Zambia: a systematic review from 2000–2022

Authors, Year

Aim

Study design

Study Site

Sample size

Population

Factors

Individual Factors

 Wado et al. 2019 [21]

Identify contextual factors that influencing adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood in five East African countries

Cross-sectional

Secondary analysis

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia)

21,925 (3675 Zambia)

Adolescent girls

(15–19 years)

Age (16 years(OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.05–2.53), 17 years(OR = 3.53, 95%CI = 2.28–5.47), 18(OR = 6.55, 95%CI = 4.27–10.05), 19 years(OR = 16.56, 95%CI = 10.52–26.07)), Age at first sex (No sex (OR = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.14–0.34), 5–14 (OR = 4.01, 95%CI = 2.51–6.63), 15–17 (OR = 3.21, 95%CI = 2.13–4.96)), Exposure to media (two of 3 sources(OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.43–0.80), all three sources (OR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.28–0.67)),

 Svanemyr 2019  [23]

Explore how gendered sexual norms make young unmarried girls vulnerable to unintended pregnancies in a specific context

Qualitative

Southern province

73

Youth

(13–20 years)

Lack of resources, Insufficient knowledge about sexuality and reproduction

 Munakampe et al. 2021  [22]

Determine factors affecting the fertility of adolescents aged 15–19 years in Zambia and possible drivers of adolescent fertility

Cross-sectional Secondary analysis

Zambia DHS

3666

Adolescent girls

(15–19 years)

Age (16 years (OR = 2.3, 95%CI = 1.3–4.2), 17 years (OR = 6.4, 95%CI = 3.6–11.5), 18 years (OR = 15., 95%CI = 8.9–27.1), 19 years (OR = 29.1, 95%CI = 16.9–50.1), Knowledge of contraception (Knows (OR = 5.4, 95%CI = 1.9–15.6), Contraceptive use (use at least one method (OR = 14.4, 95%CI = 9.2–22.4))

 Menon et al. 2018 [24]

Explore factors in the social and cultural environment shaping young people’s sexual behaviour, with specific attention to teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Eastern Zambia

Exploratory mixed method

Eastern Province (Petauke, Chadiza, Katete districts)

1434

Youth

(15–24 years)

Early/child marriage, early sexual debut, Limited knowledge and use of contraceptives

 Austrian et al. 2019  [25]

Explore transactional sex as a driver of adolescent pregnancy

Mixed method

Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt, and North-Western Provinces

5331

Adolescent girls

(10–19 years)

Transactional sex, Multiple sexual partners, Unprotected sex

Socio-Economic

 Svanemyr 2019  [23]

Explore how gendered sexual norms make young unmarried girls vulnerable to unintended pregnancies in a specific context

Qualitative

Southern province

73

Youth

(13–20 years)

Poverty, Low education level, Peer pressure

 Wado et al. 2019 [21]

Identify contextual factors that influencing adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood in five East African countries

Cross-sectional

Secondary analysis

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia)

21,925 (3675 Zambia)

Adolescent girls

(15–19 years)

Relationship to household head (spouse OR = 14.79, 95%CI = 11.55–8.63)), Education (Secondary and above (OR = ,0.35 95%CI = 0.16–0.76)), Household wealth (Richest OR = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.26–0.83),

 Munakampe et al. 2021  [22]

Determine factors affecting the fertility of adolescents aged 15–19 years in Zambia and possible drivers of adolescent fertility

Cross-sectional Secondary analysis

Zambia DHS

3666

Adolescent girls

(15–19 years)

Education (Junior secondary (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.2–0.7), Senior secondary (OR = 0.1, 95%CI = 0.0–0.2), Tertiary (OR = 0.1, 95%CI = 0.0–0.8)), Marital status (married (OR = 6.7, 95%CI = 4.9–9.2)), Household wealth (Poor (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.3–2.4))

 Menon et al. 2018 [24]

Explore factors in the social and cultural environment shaping young people’s sexual behaviour, with specific attention to teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Eastern Zambia

Exploratory mixed method

Eastern Province (Petauke, Chadiza, Katete districts)

1434

Youth

(15–24 years)

Poverty

 Blystad et al. 2020 [20]

Expand understanding on socio-cultural and structural dynamics associated with early pregnancy and school dropout

Qualitative

Southern and Central Provinces (Mazabuka, Chikankata, Monze Chibombo and Kapiri Mposhi)

61

Adolescents, parents, teachers, community leaders, and health workers

School dropout, Poverty

Environmental Factors

 Svanemyr 2019  [23]

Explore how gendered sexual norms make young unmarried girls vulnerable to unintended pregnancies in a specific context

Qualitative

Southern province

73

Youth

(13–20 years)

Norms governing contraceptive use

 Menon et al. 2018 [24]

Explore factors in the social and cultural environment shaping young people’s sexual behaviour, with specific attention to teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Eastern Zambia

Exploratory mixed method

Eastern Province (Petauke, Chadiza, Katete districts)

1434

Youth

(15–24 years)

Socio-cultural, gender and sexual norms

Policy Factors

 Menon et al. 2018 [24]

Explore factors in the social and cultural environment shaping young people’s sexual behaviour, with specific attention to teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Eastern Zambia

Exploratory mixed method

Eastern Province (Petauke, Chadiza, Katete districts)

1434

Youth

(15–24 years)

Lack of access to SRH information and services