"It Was a Mistake, but We Knew That Something Might Happen": Narratives of Teenage Girls' Experiences With Unintended Teenage Pregnancy.

Busisiwe Nkala-Dlamini

doi:10.3389/frph.2021.639544

Abstract

It has been over a quarter of a century since the sexual reproductive health of young people came under the spotlight. The upsurge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections spurred on an era of intense development of services and strategies to ensure people's reproductive health rights were attainable, including the right to choose when to fall pregnant and have a baby. The statistics on teenage pregnancy are more than just numbers, but a represent stark reality for some girls in South African schools. Given that pregnancy in the teenage years is largely unintentional, prevention strategies need to extend beyond addressing risky sexual behavior; gaining deeper insights into teenagers' experiences and the events leading up to pregnancy would serve to better inform pregnancy prevention programs. This study explored the experiences of teenage mothers and pregnant teenagers, with the objective of acquiring a broader understanding of alternative approaches to preventing unintended pregnancy. A qualitative study was conducted in Ekurhuleni's township in the east of Johannesburg, South Africa. Fifteen narrative interviews with girls aged 13–19 years were conducted between July 2015 and July 2016, and were analyzed chronologically through narrative analysis. The findings revealed that participants who had engaged in socio-sexual and romantic relationships had no intention of falling pregnant and were familiar with existing strategies to prevent pregnancy. Social-sexual relationships were presented as an important aspect of their lives and demonstrated their ability to create spaces and opportunities to spend time with their social sexual partners and engage in sexual activity. Focusing on how teenage girls evaluate their sexual activity against the consequences of their actions is critical. However, sexual and reproductive health programs should refrain from representing young people's sexual behavior as a pathological condition, framing it instead as an integral component of creative sexual development. Programs should include relevant practical advice in relation to sexual engagement and be considered an extension of the State's existing Road to Health program.

Highlights

Unintended teenage pregnancy is a challenge facing South Africa and various parts of the world, including developing and developed countries.The high rate of teenage pregnancy, defined as occurring before the age of 19 [1], threatens the futures of many teenage girls in South Africa and Southern African Development Region [2]
This study identified factors contributing to pregnancy among teenage girls such as dating, sexual activity and other activities precipitating sexual activity such as partying and drinking alcohol
The research concluded that while teenagers were aware of their sexuality and were knowledgeable about the means to prevent pregnancy, many did not actively try to prevent pregnancy

Summary

Introduction

Unintended teenage pregnancy is a challenge facing South Africa and various parts of the world, including developing and developed countries. The high rate of teenage pregnancy, defined as occurring before the age of 19 [1], threatens the futures of many teenage girls in South Africa and Southern African Development Region [2]. They risk serious health, socio-economic and educational challenges [3, 4], including the early termination of schooling due to policy, social norms or material conditions [5]. The WHO report reveals that adolescent pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality, and to the cycle of poverty and ill-health [6]

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion