Adolescent Boys and Girls in Africa: Their Demography, Behavioural Outcomes, Determinants and Consequences

Abstract

Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa hold particular social and economic development potential. This sub-group will grow into future parents, leaders and employers driving the sub-continent forward. However, they face a myriad of challenges not limited to healthcare, education and future employment opportunities. In order to better prepare sub-Saharan Africa for the future needs of these maturing individuals, there is a need to know more about who adolescents are. The purpose of this study is to examine the changing composition, fertility and mortality patterns of adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Guided by the social determinants of health framework, the study uses demographic and health surveys and census data from six sub-Saharan African countries. Frequency distributions, rates, population pyramids, age-specific fertility and mortality rates and regression models are used to profile adolescents in the region. In all countries, adolescents are highly concentrated in rural areas. Furthermore, the probability of adolescent fertility is higher in rural than urban areas. However, adolescent mortality is higher in urban compared to rural areas. In conclusion, concentrated efforts should be made on addressing the needs of adolescents in rural areas to achieve a healthy and successful transition to adulthood.