A qualitative study on the challenges associated with teenage pregnancy in a semi-urban community in South Africa

Abstract

Despite the availability of sex education and sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS), many girls continue to conceive before reaching the maturity age of 18 years. Studies have shown that unplanned pregnancies expose young girls to various social illnesses, health complications and economic hardships. Using qualitative methods, we explored teenage girls’ experiences of unplanned pregnancies and motherhood in a semi-rural area of South Africa. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to recruit teenage girls who were teenage mothers to participate in this study. Data were collected using in-depth one-on-one interviews, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the teenagers experienced a myriad of challenges, such as being shunned by family members, as they viewed unplanned pregnancy as evidence of promiscuous behavioral outcomes. Health service workers were also found to be judgmental towards teenage girls who visited health facilities for SRHS. Those still in school struggled to balance motherhood with academic responsibilities. As a result, most teenagers went through the period of pregnancy and motherhood alone or with minimal support from their significant others. A call is made to the government to strengthen support programs aimed at supporting affected teenagers at homes, in schools and within their communities.