Abstract summary 

Background Adolescent pregnancy has been linked to adverse outcomes. Most studies proposing risk pathways for adolescent pregnancy in South Africa are qualitative, hypothesising links among age-disparate relationships, reduced condom use and higher pregnancy rates. No known South African studies have quantitatively explored pathways to adolescent pregnancy.This study aimed to: (i) identify the factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and (ii) explore a pathway of risk by assessing whether condom use mediated the relationship between age-disparate sexual relationships and adolescent pregnancy.A cross-sectional survey of 447 sexually active girls aged 10-19 years was undertaken in six health districts of South Africa. Multivariate logistic regressions controlled for confounders. Mediation tests used bootstrapping.Consistent condom use (β=-2.148, odds ratio (OR)=8.566, P≤0.001) and school enrolment (β=-1.600, OR=0.202, P≤0.001) were associated with lower pregnancy rates. Age-disparate sex (β=1.093, OR=2.982, P≤0.001) and long-term school absences (β=1.402, OR=4.061, P≤0.001) were associated with higher pregnancy rates. The indirect effect of age-disparate sex on adolescent pregnancy through condom use was significant, irrespective of age, age at sexual initiation, poverty and residential environment (B=0.4466, s.d.=0.1303, confidence interval: 0.2323-0.7428).This survey supports hypotheses that inability to negotiate condom use in age-disparate sexual relationships may drive adolescent pregnancy. Interventions addressing these relationships, facilitating condom use and increasing access to sexual health services among adolescents might avert unwanted pregnancies.

Authors & Co-authors:  Toska Elona E Cluver Lucie D LD Boyes Mark M Pantelic Marija M Kuo Caroline C

Study Outcome 

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