Nagpur: A growing trend of teen pregnancies and unwed motherhood has emerged in eastern Vidarbha, with 131 cases reported over the past year.
Health department data reveals that rural areas are seeing a higher rate of these cases compared to urban centres, a development linked to several factors including lack of sex education, exposure to social media, and changing social behaviour.
According to data compiled between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the majority of unwed mothers in the region are teenage girls between 14 and 19 years old.
The findings span five districts: Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gondia, and Wardha. Gadchiroli district alone accounts for 104 of the total cases, with Etapalli (39 cases) and Aheri (16 cases) contributing significantly to the tally.
The central government carries out national surveys every ten years to collect data on population health, malnutrition, and unwed motherhood, in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences.
While current national data has not yet been released, regional reports have prompted targeted action.
Teen Pregnancies Pose Health Risk
The state health department has initiated awareness campaigns in the affected areas to address the issue. Experts highlight that adolescent / teen pregnancies pose serious health risks not only for the mothers but also for the newborns, including increased chances of malnourishment and long-term medical complications.
Nagpur district stands out with no reported cases of unwed mothers during this period, according to official health records.
Breakdown of unwed mother cases in eastern Vidarbha:
- Gadchiroli: 104
- Chandrapur: 12
- Gondia: 11
- Bhandara: 2
- Wardha: 2
- Under 18 years: 97
- Over 18 years: 34
Dr Sushma Deshmukh, a gynaecologist from Nagpur, said, “Young people today have unrestricted access to information via social media. However, due to the absence of sex education in schools, this information is often misused. Teen pregnancies not only raise the risk of delivering malnourished babies but also lead to complications post-abortion and can cause various illnesses later in life.”
