Daily Life of Adolescent Girls who Experienced Early Motherhood in the City of Kinshasa

Abstract

The aim of our study was to understand the daily experience of adolescent girls in the Congo district who had experienced early childbearing in order to contribute to improving the sexual reproductive health of adolescent girls. This is a qualitative study approached in a phenomenological approach and it falls within the field of reproductive health. The method used for this study was the phenomenological survey and the free individual interview of 15 to 20 minutes. Our sample was 9 teenagers who had granted their availability to participate in the study. After reading our transcripts of interviews recorded with 9 respondents. Adolescent girls perceive early childbearing as an act of dishonor to family and society. Regarding the consequences of early childbearing, adolescents cited bad reputation in society, abandonment by the family and lack of support for the burden of pregnancy. In their experience as victims of early motherhood, these teenage girls used the following means to overcome difficulties: Courage and advice from people, as well as Resourcefulness and help from parents. As for the methods used by adolescents to prevent a new pregnancy, they resort to abstinence, respect for the menstrual cycle, and the use of condoms and implants. With regard to the expectation of adolescent girls who are victims of early childbearing, they seek moral and financial support from the parents and the hope of a marriage from the sexual partner.