Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies

Background: Adolescent pregnancy remains a important public health and socio-economic challenge in rural and marginalised Philippine communities. While national trends show an overall decline, regional variations persist, particularly in geographically isolated areas.

Objectives: This study documented descriptive multi-year counts of reported teenage pregnancy cases (CY 2024 to the 30 September 2026 cut-off) and identified associated personal, cultural, geographic, and school-based contextual factors among junior and senior high school learners in the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Apayao.

Methods: A mixed-methods descriptive design was utilised. Quantitative document analysis of recorded school health records (N=62) across seven municipalities was combined with qualitative data from 21 key informants (7 adolescent mothers, 7 school health personnel and school heads, and 7 Indigenous Peoples leaders).

Results: Over the observation period, 62 cases were documented (17 in 2024, 30 in 2025, and 15 in the partial year 2026, to 30 September). Lowland municipalities accounted for most reported cases (  in 2024,  in 2025, and  in 2026 Q3) compared to upland municipalities. Regarding educational outcomes, 59.68% (n=37 ) remained in regular classes, 30.65% (n=19) shifted to Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM/ALS), and 9.68% (n=6) discontinued studies. Key contextual factors included poverty (74.19%), extended travel distance to health facilities in upland areas (mean distance 9.2km vs. 3.1km in lowlands), customary unions (27.42% in upland cases), and peer dynamics/off-campus living in lowlands.

Conclusion: Reported teenage pregnancy counts and contextual dynamics show marked differences across topographic zones in SDO Apayao, co-occurring with notable educational disruption. Context-specific, geographically responsive health and retention strategies may be appropriate.