Data mining: an application to determine what socio-economic factors influence teen pregnancy

The objective of this research study is to determine the most influential socio-economic factors in teenage pregnancy by using data mining techniques. The sample consists of 700 teenagers. A dependent variable (to have children) and 11 independent variables are examined. The most influential variables were selected statistically and were analyzed by using the algorithm J48 from the platform Weka. The results show with over a 97% accuracy that the most influential factors in teenage pregnancy are: to have a partner, to be instructed on contraceptive methods by a health insurance company, to be studying, to have become sexually active at age 15 or older, to be using contraceptive methods, and the level of formal education. It is concluded that the present study transformed a subjective methodology into an objective methodology, based on intelligence techniques, which will allow public institutions to redefine their policies to better manage pregnancy in teenagers. © 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab.