This study assessed the correlates of neonatal
mortality among young mothers in Nigeria. Data were extracted
only for singleton births. A total of 10,455 women aged 15-29
years old reported to have given birth during the previous period
of five years. Statistical analyses included univariate and
bivariate techniques. Results showed that neonatal mortality rate
for teenage mothers was 46.5 per 1000 and for mothers 20-29
years old it was 24.21 per 1000. However, the difference was not
statistically significant (Chi-square = 1.96, on 1 d.f; P > 0.05).
Mortality decreases with woman’s education, higher in the
Northeast and Northwest than in the Southern States, higher in
rural than urban areas and higher among the poor than the rich
women. Hence all hands must be on deck to ensure that teenage
pregnancies are reduced to minimum among Nigerian women.
Government policies that ensure that young girls receive
education up to completed secondary level will go a long way to
reduce teenage pregnancies.