Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Article

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Adolescent Pregnancy Among an Indigenous Ethnic Group in Rural Nepal: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study: Kusumsheela Bhatta, Pratiksha Pathak, Madhusudan Subedi; J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(3):269-278. Published online April 26, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.023

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Objectives
The Chepang people, an indigenous ethnic group in Nepal, experience substantial marginalization and socioeconomic disadvantages, making their communities among the most vulnerable in the region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in the Chepang communities of Raksirang Rural Municipality, Makwanpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 among 231 Chepang women selected using simple random sampling from Raksirang Rural Municipality. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviewing the mothers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Variables with a variation inflation factor of more than 2 and a p-value of more than 0.25 were excluded from the final model.
Results
The study revealed that the prevalence rate of adolescent pregnancy among Chepang women was 71.4% (95% CI, 65.14 to 77.16). A large percentage of participants (72.7%) were married before the age of 18 years. Poor knowledge of adolescent pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.3; 95% CI, 8.42 to 14.87), unplanned pregnancy (aOR, 13.3; 95% CI, 10.76 to 19.2), and lack of sex education (aOR, 6.57; 95% CI, 3.85 to 11.27) were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy.
Conclusions
The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy among the Chepang community was high. These findings highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the potential consequences of adolescent pregnancy and implementing comprehensive sexuality education programs for preventing adolescent pregnancies within this community.

Summary

Key Message
This community-based cross-sectional study found that adolescent pregnancy was highly prevalent (71.4%) among the Chepang community, an indigenous and marginalized ethnic group in Nepal. Key contributing factors included poor knowledge of adolescent pregnancy, unplanned pregnancies, and a lack of sex education. The findings highlighted the urgent need for targeted awareness campaigns and comprehensive sexuality education programs to address and reduce adolescent pregnancies in this vulnerable community.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Determinants and outcomes of teenage pregnancy in Uganda: a case study of Hoima
Leonard Ssebwami, Ivan Paul Kato, David Jjagwe, Rony Bahatungire, John Zimula, Richardson Okullo, Moses Opeto, Geoffrey Ofumbi Oburu, Fred Tibwita, Nathern Bagonza, John Oryem
International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology.2026; 15(3): 833. CrossRef
Understanding the Determinants of Adolescent Pregnancy among an Indigenous Community in Rural Nepal: A Qualitative Exploration
Kusumsheela Bhatta, Pratiksha Pathak, Madhusudan Subedi
Public Health Challenges.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Letter to the Editor: Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines: Effects and Interventions
Dalmacito A. Cordero
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2024; 57(3): 304. CrossRef

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