Views of teenagers towards teenage pregnancy in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province.

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy occurring in girls aged 10-19 years remains a serious worldwide health problem. Stillbirths and newborn deaths are 50% higher among infants born to adolescent mothers than among those born to mothers aged 20-29 years, which contributes to the increased deliveries of newborn babies among females aged 10 to 19 years. The aim of the study was to gain understanding of the views of teenagers towards teenage pregnancy in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province. A qualitat ive, explorative, and descriptive study was adopted. The target population constituted 15 purposively selected male and female teenagers aged between 13 and 19 years, from three secondary schools. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and analysed using the thematic approach. An inductive thematic approach was used to identify common and recurring themes. Four themes emerged during data collection namely: essentially, optionally, socio-cultural, and economic motivated influences. The findings showed that peer pressure, lack of knowledge on sexual issues, social media, inadequate parental guidance and support, poor access to health facilities, awkward operating hours, bad attitudes of nurses, and absence of youth-friendly services space contribute to the increased number of teenage pregnancies.