Determinants of adolescent fertility in contemporary Yoruba society: a multivariate analysis

Abstract

Adolescent childbearing has received much attention in the past three decades, but the socio-cultural determinants of this phenomenon remain inexplicitly explained in Yoruba society. Therefore, this paper examined the determinants of adolescent fertility using multivariate analysis and Osun State, Nigeria as study location. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to achieve this objective. Two Local Government Areas (LGAs), Osogbo (urban) and Ola-Oluwa (rural), of Osun State were purposively selected based on rural/urban dichotomy. The quantitative method involved cross-sectional survey of 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49 years). To be eligible, respondent must have at least a child. A multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents. For the qualitative method, 10 In-depth Interviews were conducted with adolescent mothers, their mothers and opinion leaders in the LGAs. Statistical technique used in the analysis of quantitative data was logistic regression, while content analysis technique was used to analyze qualitative data. Findings showed that educational level, parental marital disruption, marital status, and nature of activity which adolescent girls were doing are significant determinants of adolescent fertility in the study location. In conclusion, concerted efforts need to be put together by all the stakeholders (community members, opinion leaders, gatekeepers, governments, private organizations, non-governmental organizations and community based organizations) to improve the existing educational structure in the study location. In addition, appropriate policies and intervention programmes need to be put in place to reduce the incidence of marital disruption and adolescents must be fully engaged in productive social and economic activities. Key words: Adolescent, Fertility, Education, Marital disruption, Yoruba Society, Nigeria.