International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Unintended teenage pregnancy remains a pervasive public health and social issue in Nigeria, significantly undermining the educational progression and future prospects of adolescent girls. Awkuzu, a rural community in Anambra State, Nigeria, provides a unique context for this study. Anambra State has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria, with a prevalence rate of 27.5% among adolescent girls. The community of Awkuzu is predominantly rural, with limited access to reproductive health services, education, and economic opportunities. Objectives: This study investigated the impact of unintended pregnancy on the educational attainment of teenage girls in Awkuzu, Anambra State, Nigeria, with a focus on school dropout rates and reintegration challenges.
Method: A descriptive survey design was utilised, involving 187 teenage girls selected through multistage sampling from Awkuzu community. Data were generated with structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and analysed using SPSS, incorporating descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine associations between unintended pregnancy and school dropouts. Results: The prevalence of unintended pregnancy among respondents was 63.6%, with nearly half (46.5%) dropping out of school due to pregnancy. The Chi-square test confirmed a significant association between unintended pregnancy and school dropout (?² = 12.83, p = 0.0003). Additionally, 79.7% of participants were unaware of formal school re-entry policies, while 58.8% perceived school attitudes as stigmatising towards teenage mothers. Lack of sex education, peer pressure, and economic hardship were identified as principal causes of unintended pregnancy.
Conclusion: Unintended pregnancy substantially disrupts the educational trajectories of teenage girls in Awkuzu. The compounded effects of insufficient policy support and negative social attitudes hinder school re-entry and educational attainment for teenage mothers.
Unique Contribution: The study offers significant insight into the socio-cultural and institutional barriers faced by teenage mothers in Awkuzu, emphasising the need for tailored policy interventions and supportive school environments. Its findings will benefit policymakers, educators, and social workers by providing evidence-based recommendations to enhance reintegration strategies, improve educational access, and foster inclusive support systems for adolescent mothers. Key Recommendations: The findings call for the establishment of clear school re-entry policies, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, teacher training on adolescent parenthood, accessible counseling and peer support services, and community sensitization programmes to reduce stigma and foster educational inclusion.