<b>Socio-Demographic Factors and Contraceptive Use among Adolescent and Young Married Girls in Nigeria: Evidence from National Demographic Health Survey</b>

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association between socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use among adolescent and young married girls aged 15–19 years in Nigeria. Design: Cross sectional secondary data analysis Setting: Nigeria Participants: Adolescent girls aged 15–19 years who were married or cohabiting Interventions: No intervention Main outcome measure: The primary outcome of interest was contraceptive behaviour. Results: Overall contraceptive use was low: 2.6% used modern methods and 0.9% used traditional methods, while 63.6% were non-users with no intention to use contraception. About 34.3% of respondents married before age 15, and 83.4% resided in rural areas. In multivariable analysis, increasing age at marriage was inversely associated with contraceptive use (AOR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61–0.85). Higher educational attainment significantly increased the odds of contraceptive use, with adolescents having secondary education more likely to use contraception than those with no education (AOR = 4.53; 95% CI: 1.82–11.32). Adolescents from wealthier households had higher odds of contraceptive use, particularly those in the richest wealth quintile (AOR = 9.95; 95% CI: 2.64–37.50). Regional differences were pronounced, with higher contraceptive use observed in the South West and South East compared with North Central. Muslim adolescents were less likely to use contraception than Christians (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07–0.95). Conclusion: Contraceptive use among married adolescent girls in Nigeria remains extremely low. Socio-demographic factors including education, region, religion, wealth, and age at marriage significantly influence contraceptive uptake.