Influential Elements Impacting Adolescent Pregnancy in Teen Mothers Seeking Antenatal Care at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Kabarole District

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 14 million pregnancies arise annually, with almost half occurring among women aged 15–19. Uganda saw 25% of young women in that age bracket beginning childbearing in 2015. The primary aim of the study was to identify factors influencing teenage pregnancy among adolescent mothers receiving antenatal care at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Kabarole district. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, 288 teenage girls were randomly selected for participation. The majority (51.4%) fell within the 17-19 age range, 72.9% were unmarried, 54.5% had attained a Secondary education level, and most (60.4%) lived in rural areas. The teenage pregnancy rate stood at 25.7%. Individual factors significantly linked to teenage pregnancy included inadequate contraceptive use and alcohol misuse. Household-related factors associated with teenage pregnancy encompassed orphanhood, low-income status (poverty), absence of parental guidance, and teenage girls not residing with their parents. Community factors significantly tied to teenage pregnancy among those attending antenatal care at Fort Portal regional referral hospital included peer influence, exposure to pornographic content, limited access to reproductive health services, and cultural norms. These cultural practices involved early and arranged marriages, along with coerced sex with witch doctors disguised as healers. The researcher suggested that Uganda's government establish additional centers, particularly in rural areas, to address limited access to reproductive health services. Additionally, regulating alcohol and drug use among teenagers by restricting access to these substances was recommended. Keywords: Teenage Pregnancies, Antenatal care, teenage mothers, teenage girls, Parents.