Psychosocial Impact of Early Pregnancy: Case of 95 Students in the City of Abidjan

Aka Rita Ahou,Traore Brahim Samuel,Konan Koffi Paulin,Yeo-Tenena Yessonguilana Jean-Marie

doi:10.11648/j.ajpn.20210903.19

Aka Rita Ahou, Traore Brahim Samuel + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajpn.20210903.19

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Abstract

Pregnancy is an accomplishment in many cases. However, when it occurs early especially during schooling, it can be an obstacle to the development of adolescent girls, with a significant psychosocial impact. In Côte d'Ivoire, more than 4000 cases of school pregnancy were reported in 2017. The objective of this study was to describe the psychosocial impact of early pregnancy among selected students in the commune of Abidjan. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study of adolescent girls who visited the health centers for their pre- or post-natal consultation. A total of 95 girls were included in our study. Of these, 53.68% were in their first cycle of secondary school. More than half, i.e. 52.63%, were between 12 and 17 years of age, and 91% were primigravida. Pregnancies were mostly unwanted (83%), while almost all sexual intercourse was consensual and unprotected. The occurrence of pregnancy had a negative psychosocial impact that manifested itself emotionally through a painful experience. Indeed, 66.07% of the girls considered abortion as soon as the pregnancy was announced. In 33.3% of cases, the abortion attempts were successful. The emotional state of these students was marked by feelings of discouragement, self-deprecation with lowered self-esteem, guilt and shame in 53%; 47.36%; 28.42% and 21.05% respectively. Sub-depressive states were also recorded in 31.58% of the students, manifested by insomnia, anorexia and sadness with crying. At school level, a drop in performance was noted in 58.95% of cases, and 22.10% dropped out. As for social relations, they were marked by the genesis of conflicts leading to abandonment both at the family level and from the perpetrators of the pregnancy in respectively 31.58% and 32.63%. In light of the above, it is clear that the occurrence of an adolescent pregnancy while in school has a negative psychological, educational and social impact.

Highlights

Pregnancy is a physiological process that leads to both physical and psychological disturbances
It can be a hindrance to the development of young girls with a significant psychosocial impact on both the mother and the child, especially when it occurs during schooling. [1, 2]
Most of the studies that have been carried out on this topic to date have focused on the strategies to be implemented to curb this phenomenon. They ignore the psycho-social situation of pregnant students or student-mothers, most of whom have difficulty adapting

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy is a physiological process that leads to both physical and psychological disturbances. In many cases, it contributes to the blossoming of femininity, leading to a feeling of accomplishment and happiness. Pregnancies among young girls during schooling, generally unwanted, are recurrent. This state of affairs is a concern for all societies. Most of the studies that have been carried out on this topic to date have focused on the strategies to be implemented to curb this phenomenon. Despite their relevance, they ignore the psycho-social situation of pregnant students or student-mothers, most of whom have difficulty adapting.

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