Knowledge of fertile period and associated factors among adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania: a nationwide survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of fertile period among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW; 15-24 years) is crucial for understanding and managing reproductive health, yet it remains under explored. Many AGYW possess limited knowledge about their reproductive systems and the menstrual cycle, which can lead to misconceptions regarding fertile period and contraceptive use. In regions like Tanzania, where early and unintended pregnancies are prevalent, enhancing fertile period awareness through tailored educational initiatives becomes increasingly vital. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the fertile period and associated factors among AGYW in Tanzania for evidence-based interventions. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the 2022 Tanzania demographic and health survey. Given the survey's complex design, weighted binary logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with knowledge of the fertile period. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the strength of the association. A p-value of < 0.05 was declared statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of knowledge about the fertile period was 19.4% (95% CI: 17.9-20.9). Several factors were associated with a higher likelihood of having knowledge about the fertile period; being aged 20-24 years (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.16-1.76), having secondary education (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI: 2.23-4.45), exposure to media (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.02-1.59), visiting a health facility in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.29-1.66), and residing in the central (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.67-3.89) or southern zones of mainland Tanzania (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.11-2.48). CONCLUSION: This study revealed the factors impacting knowledge of fertile period among AGYW, highlighting the roles of educational attainment, media exposure, healthcare access, and geographical location. Increased education and health service access correlate with better knowledge. To address these challenges, tailored interventions that account for above would be essential. ​Ultimately, enhancing fertile period awareness necessitates engaging educational programs across various platforms, empowering AGYW to make informed reproductive health choices. Further research needs to be conducted to monitor the knowledge on fertile periods.