Sex, Contraception and Childbearing Before Marriage in Sub-Saharan Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa sexual activity contraceptive use and childbearing among never-married women aged 15-24 differs significantly among countries. Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys data for 7 countries reveals that in some such as Botswana and Liberia more than 75% of unmarried women have had sexual intercourse while in Burundi only 4% have done so. Although more than 75% of unmarried sexually experienced young women in the countries studied know of at least 1 modern contraceptive method less than 30% of these women in most countries have ever used a modern method. Childbearing among unmarried women is almost nonexistent in Burundi (2%) and very low in Ghana (9%) but it is fairly common in Botswana (42%) and Liberia (34%). (authors)