Factors contributing to the rise of teenage pregnancy in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that contribute to the rise of teenage pregnancy in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province. The study was conducted in Tshehlwaneng clinic, Selala Clinic and Dilokong Gateway. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was followed. The target population were pregnant teenage girls aged between 13-19 years attending antenatal/mother and child services in Sekhukhune clinics and those who brought their babies for well-baby clinic. Purposive sampling was used to recruit teenagers at the three clinics in Sekhukhune District. Participants were purposively selected as they come to the clinic for antenatal/mother and child services as well as those who brought their babies for well-baby clinic because were seen as knowledgeable on the issues related to teenage pregnancy. The selection of participants was made after teenagers have received the services they came for. The information sheets for parents and participants were discussed during recruitment and prior interview. The information sheets, informed consent, assent and parents‟ permission letters were issued to the potential participants. Appointments were scheduled in correspondence with clinic return dates to reduce cost of transport. Convenience sampling was used to select the three clinics in Sekhukhune District. Face-to-face individual interviews, digital voice recorder and field notes were used to collect data. COVID-19 principles were followed during data collection. Interviews lasted no more than 20 minutes. Eighteen (18) participants were interviewed and informed consent, assent and parents‟ permission letters to participate were signed. Data was analysed by means of Tesch‟s inductive, descriptive coding method. Eight (8) themes and twenty-three (23) subthemes emerged from the collected data. The study findings revealed that teenagers realized that they are pregnant only after specific physiological and emotional changes related to pregnancy were noticed. The study findings also revealed that carelessness, peer pressure, uncertainty, choice, lack of contraceptive usage and lack of family affection are aggravating factors to the rise of teenage pregnancy in Sekhukhune District. Family and partner support was viewed as issues which helped participants to pull through with teenage pregnancy. Strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy were proposed by the study emanating from schools, home and the government. Parental involvement in sex education and support to teenagers were viewed as a key strategy. The use of contraceptives should be emphasised and schools as well as government to be involved in the fight to reduce teenage pregnancy.