Prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Uganda: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: 25.5% pooled prevalence

• Primary Outcome: Prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Uganda

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Range 3.0% to 56.4% across individual studies; Central-Eastern region highest at 31.7%

• Confidence Interval: 95% CI 13.7% to 39.5%

Clinical Application

Limited by very low certainty evidence and extreme heterogeneity between studies Limited direct applicability to Australian context given different socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare system factors; may inform understanding of global adolescent health challenges Ugandan adolescents and potentially similar sub-Saharan African populations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Teenage pregnancy is a major public health problem with huge consequences for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. This calls for a concerted effort from different stakeholders involved in issues of teenagers' sexual reproductive health to achieve the SDG target of 2030 on the reduction of maternal mortality. The objective of this systematic review was to estimate the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and its associated factors in Uganda. DESIGNS: We conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis standards. DATA SOURCES: After prospective registration (PROSPERO CRD42023486460), a literature search was conducted in PubMed, African Journals Online and Google Scholar in December 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Observational studies that reported the prevalence of teenage pregnancy among teenagers were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Articles were screened for relevance at the title, abstract and full-text levels by multiple reviewers. The quality of studies was independently appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Any discrepancies were resolved by reaching a consensus. The process of extracting data included study information, geographical categorisation, type of studies, population, sample size, results/outcomes and prevalence of teenage pregnancy. The risk of bias was determined by Egger's test. The results were pooled using random-effects models to calculate the prevalence of teenage pregnancy with a CI of 95% and I² statistic. RESULTS: Of 918 records screened, 10 studies (4143 participants) were included. The pooled prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 25.5% (95% CI 13.7% to 39.5%; I²=98.9%), with individual study estimates ranging widely from 3.0% to 56.4%, reflecting substantial heterogeneity across study settings, populations and periods of data collection. Higher estimates were observed in the Central-Eastern region (31.7%, 95% CI 19.5% to 45.1%). The overall certainty of evidence was rated as very low using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework, primarily due to very serious inconsistency across included studies (I²=98.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Pooling studies of mixed quality revealed a slightly higher prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Uganda. This review provides valuable insight for policymakers and healthcare providers in developing interventions and policies to reduce the burden of teenage pregnancy from disadvantaged backgrounds. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023486460.

References

1. 1.Aremu, B. A., Afolabi, I. B., Simeon, A. N., & Mujeeb, S. (2026). Prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Uganda: a meta-analysis and systematic review. BMJ Open. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-101827