Regional Variation in Age at First Birth among the Adolescents in Nigeria

Opeyemi Fadeyibi, Obafemi Awolowo University
Alfred Adewuyi, Obafemi Awolowo University

This study examines the regional variation and correlates of socio-economic and demographic variables of age at first birth among adolescents in Nigeria. We use data from the baseline survey of the VISION Project in 15 local government areas of three states from the three major regions in Nigeria. Adolescents were identified as individuals between 10-19 years. Within this age group, 768 (12.2% males, and 87.8% females) reported first birth at the mean age of 16.3 years (15.9 years in Bauchi, 16.7 years in Enugu and 17.2 in Oyo). Ages were re-grouped into three categories; less than 14 years, 14-16 and 17-19 years. The highest concentration of births is in the age group 14-16 years in Bauchi (53.2), 17-19 years in Enugu (55.3%) and Oyo State (70.4%). We correlate socio-economic variables including educational status, work status, marital status, ever use and current use of family planning methods, and fertility intention.