Pregnancy among schoolgirls in Nigeria.

A study was made of 127 cases of schoolgirls with pregnancy-related problems who were admitted into three of the major hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria, over a 10-month period. The findings suggest that schoolgirl pregnancy in Benin City is found chiefly among teenage girls during the early years of secondary school. Lack of experience in family life and knowledge about contraceptive methods, coupled with poor parental control, are the major factors that put the young adolescent at risk of unwanted pregnancy. School drop-out and complications of illegally induced abortion are the most frequent and worst consequences of schoolgirl pregnancies. The provision of formal education on family life and effective and easily accessible family planning methods for the adolescent population are suggested as a means to reduce the rate of schoolgirl pregnancy.