The Association Between Overcrowded Households and Adolescent Pregnancy

Background: Literature suggests that socioeconomic environment influences the probility of teenage pregnancy. Specifically, this paper reports an investigation about the association between overcrowded households and teenage pregnancy in a developing country. Methods: Using a probit model with sample selection correction, which provides a robust estimate, we analyze data of 10,245 Ecuadorian women between 12 and 19 years old. Data was collected from official surveys conducted in 2006 and 2014. Results: Empirical evidence shows that an overcrowded household is an influential factor on the probability of adolescent pregnancy in Ecuador. Policy Implications: The involvement of policy makers, parents, schools, and NGOs is necessary to design preventive and corrective policies regarding adolescent pregnancy. In particular, governments should implement policies that ensure the rights of adolescents to access mechanisms for preventing and reporting sexual violence whether it comes from their households or anywhere else.