Effects of Teenage Pregnancy on the Academic and Socio-Psychological Well Being of Rural Women in Etche Ethnic Nationality, Rivers State

The study examined the impact of teenage pregnancy on the academic and socio-psychological well-being of rural women in Etche ethnic nationality, Rivers State. The objectives include: to ascertain the factors pre-disposing the girl-child to early motherhood, determine the impact of teenage pregnancy on the academic as well as the socio-psychological well-being of rural women in the study area. One hundred and twenty respondents were used for the study; data were collected with structured questionnaire and through scheduled interview and analysed using frequency and mean statistics. The findings established that negative influences from peers and environment, care free attitude of parents among others were factors that pre-dispose the girl-child to early motherhood. Also the effects include disruption of academic process, school drop-outs and poor public image. It was therefore, recommended that schools and homes should be more protective and shields the girl-child from negative influences. Education of the girl-child should be free and compulsory to enable teenage mothers go back to school after nursing her baby as many would love to do but for financial constraints.