Exploring the lived socioeconomic experiences of teen mothers in Rwanda.

Purpose The main aim of this study is to determine teenage mothers' reintegration experiences into the formal education system from the disruption caused by falling pregnant at school. Design/methodology/approach The study is conducted at five schools in Marange district in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe. The study involves 65 teenage mothers (mean age = 15.6 years; SD = 0.3) sampled through purposive sampling to guarantee precision. Data were collected using a questionnaire and follow-up interviews with closed and open-ended items. Findings Teenage mothers reported feeling anxious, fearful and uncertain, not only about their ability to manage and balance school work and maternity demands but also about their ability to handle stigmatisation associated with teenage motherhood. The study also establishes that age difference and class level did not significantly influence the students' experiences. Research limitations/implications It is envisaged that the recommendations from this study can inform policy and practice aimed at promoting the educational attainment and well-being of pregnant mothers. Practical implications The study is important in assisting with practical reintegration processes that policy makers can adopt for adolescent mothers. Originality/value The study is the first of its kind to be conducted in the area and will contribute to the body on knowledge on inclusive education particularly for the girl child.

Background: Teenage pregnancy is coming up as one of the most important social and public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Lack of knowledge and poor awareness lead to increase number of teenage pregnancy. To assess the knowledge and awareness level of teenage mothers and its consequences. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong for a period of six months from 10th October 2013 to 9th April 2014. One hundred teenage mothers (Aged 15-19 completed years at delivery) who got herself admitted to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were included in this study. Predesigned data collections sheet was used and relevant informations were recorded. Results: Among 100 patients, 60 % mothers were in age group of 17-18 years. 25% 19 years, 15% in <17 years. 88% were Muslim, 80% were housewives, 12% garments workers, day laborer 4%, service holder only 1%. Majority of patients (58%) came from low income group families. 26% low middle class, only 6% from upper income group. 60% of mother were upto primary education who had same knowledge about consequence of teenage pregnancy. Can sign only 18%, illiterate 16% who had no knowledge about that. Most of them 64% were unplanned pregnancy. Only 36% were planned. 64% of them never use of any contraceptives. 17% of them use were by herself, used by husband only 6%. Data were analyzed by both manually and by SPSS-18. Conclusion: Teenage are the future of the nation. Not only there should be efforts to improve the socio-demographic environment of pregnant teenagers to improve the reproductive outcome but also decrease the incidence of teenage pregnancy Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.24 (1); Jan 2025; Page 63-66

Background: Breastfeeding practices among teenage mothers are among the lowest globally, despite the increasing proportion of breastfeeding teenage mothers. The impact of breastfeeding teenage mothers who do not breastfeed will cause growth and development delays in infants, lack of bonding (relationship) between mother and infant, and malnutrition in infants. Objective: To examine breastfeeding issues among teenage mothers. Method: This scoping review method consists of several steps, namely identifying scoping review questions, identifying relevant literature sources, selecting literature, compiling, summarizing, and reporting the results. Results: Based on a critical review, 19 articles were obtained. The results of the study found 3 themes, namely low education levels, lack of maternal knowledge about breastfeeding, and lack of support for breastfeeding mothers. Conclusion: Breastfeeding issues among teenage mothers are an important note that must be considered because when a teenager has to become a mother at a young age and they are required to be able to become a mother at a young age. The problems faced by teenage mothers are very diverse. The findings of this study can be used as a basis or input for further researchers to examine more deeply other problems related to breastfeeding among teenage mothers.

This study examined causal pathways leading to school dropout among teenage mothers in three major urban centers of Colombia’s Caribbean region. Through a quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching involving 173 adolescent mothers (ages 14–18) enrolled in public schools during 2024, the research tested whether the simultaneous absence of digital connectivity, psychosocial support, and childcare access directly affected dropout probability. Statistical analyses using Structural Bayesian Networks, Quantile Binomial Poisson Regression, and Generalized Treatment Effect Models identified three main direct causal influences: institutional support quality (coefficient = −0.327), digital access conditions (coefficient = −0.281), and residential instability (coefficient = 0.195). The combined effect of multiple support services reduced dropout probability by approximately one-third (ATT = −0.328, p < 0.001), with stronger protective effects for more vulnerable subgroups. City-specific variations suggested local institutional configurations modified these relationships, with Cartagena showing greater resilience despite similar structural challenges. The findings underscored the need for comprehensive support systems addressing digital inequalities, care infrastructure, and psychosocial assistance simultaneously.

Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide problem. Early child bearing, particularly among teenagers (those under 13-19 years of age) has negative demographic, socio economic and socio-cultural consequences. Teenage mothers are likely to suffer from severe complications during delivery, which result higher mortality and morbidity for them and their children. West Bengal is the significant state of India where with democracy the religious prejudices, the economic disparities, poverty, illiteracy, child marriage, and health negligence is shown great influences. According to data from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 in West Bengal 25% women between the ages 15 to 19 had already begun having children in India. Data published on the Matri MA Portal also shows there were 4 Lakh teenage couples in West Bengal in September 2022. ‘Both teen moms, kids at high risk’. Lack of awareness, Socio-cultural issues, and poor communication can create barriers to accessing healthcare and family planning services. This paper is a description of the problem of teenage pregnancy. Discussion concerns differential public attitudes towards these problems, risks and consequences, contributing factors. Preventive measures are also discussed.

Teenage pregnancy remains a significant public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, including the Philippines, where rural and underserved communities continue to experience persistent social and health inequities. Despite ongoing policy and programmatic efforts, adolescent fertility rates remain disproportionately high in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. This study examined psychosocial factors associated with teenage pregnancy using a cross-sectional retrospective design. Participants were adult women aged 20 years and above who were purposively selected from barangay records in rural communities and classified as teenage mothers (first childbirth at ages 13–19) or non-teenage mothers (first childbirth at age 20 or older). A total of 441 respondents completed structured questionnaires assessing self-esteem, study attitudes, and family attachment as recalled prior to their first pregnancy. Independent-sample t-tests were conducted to examine group differences, while multivariable logistic regression was used to identify psychosocial predictors of teenage pregnancy. Results indicated that non-teenage mothers reported significantly higher self-esteem, more positive study attitudes, and stronger maternal attachment than teenage mothers (p < .001). Logistic regression analysis showed that self-esteem (OR = 0.16), study attitude (OR = 0.66), and maternal attachment (OR = 0.20) were significant protective factors against teenage pregnancy. The model demonstrated robust predictive performance, with an overall classification accuracy of 82% and high sensitivity in identifying teenage mothers. These findings underscore the importance of psychosocial and relational factors in shaping adolescent reproductive outcomes within structurally constrained rural contexts. Strengthening adolescents’ self-esteem, sustaining school engagement, and promoting supportive mother–child relationships may be critical components of preventionoriented strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy, particularly in rural and resource-constrained settings.

Introduction: Peru is one of the countries most affected by anemia in South America. Despite declining poverty rates, approximately 57.0% of children under one year and 46.4% of those between 6-35 months have anemia, producing long-term harmful effects on intellectual and psychological development. Objective: To describe the importance of government intervention through legislation to favor anemia eradication and identify relationships between selected factors and anemia prevalence in children under 3 years. Methodology: A review of the legal framework in public policies and commitments assumed by Peruvian state entities. Data integration from geographic and descriptive information sources (2012-2018) utilized ArcGIS and SPSS. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression examined eight factors. Results: Negative correlation: Iron supplement (-0.648), Growth and development control (-0.739), Treated water (-0.461), Basic sanitization (-0.478), Total Budget (-0.691), Monitoring budget (-0.578). Positive correlation: Breastfeeding (0.641), Teenage Mother (0.757*).

‘Nobody is born knowing how to be a parent’: navigating tensions in the experiences of teenage mothers within the child protection system

The purpose of this study was to determine whether demographic characteristics influence adaptation levels among teenage mothers in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was grounded in Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theory and the Double ABCX Family Stress Theory by McCubbin and Patterson, which emphasises the interaction of individual, familial, and environmental factors in response to stress and change. A total of 108 teenage mothers aged between 16 and 19 years were selected through simple random sampling from the list of eligible teenage mothers attending postnatal clinics in Nairobi County health facilities. Data were collected using structured interviews and analysed using SPSS Version 28. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data, while chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were employed to examine the relationships between demographic characteristics and adaptation levels of teenage mothers. The findings revealed that the majority of teenage mothers were aged 18–19 years (62.9%), while 37.1% were minors between 16-17 years. Respondents who had completed secondary education comprised 59.3%, while 40.7% had attained primary education. Data for marital status showed that 73.1% were single, while 26.9% were married. Unemployed respondents accounted for 82.4%, while those who were gainfully employed accounted for 17.6%. Dependency rate was 82.4%, while 17.6% earned very low incomes. Chi-square tests indicated statistically significant associations between adaptation levels and age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.000), education (p = 0.003), employment status (p = 0.000), and income level (p = 0.000). Further binary logistic regression analysis identified four variables as significant predictors of positive adaptation to stressors of teenage motherhood including, age (18-19 years) (AOR = 2.60; p = 0.002), secondary education, (AOR = 2.85; p = 0.003), married status (AOR = 1.95; p = 0.018), and income security (AOR = 4.20; p < 0.001). These findings have established that demographic characteristics significantly contribute to the adaptation of teenage mothers to early parenting roles. Based on these findings, the study recommends It was recommended that intervention programmes targeting teenage girls should focus on: retention and completion of primary and secondary education, sexual and reproductive health awareness in early adolescence, and financial interventions to reduce poverty at the household level to prevent pregnancy among teenage girls.

Teenage pregnancy is a significant socio-economic and public health challenge in the estate sectors of Sri Lanka and a global issue affecting high, low, and middle-income countries. This study aims to investigate the role of social welfare professionals in addressing the contributing factors, associated risks, and prevalence of teenage pregnancy in rural communities. The research employed a quantitative approach involving 157 teenage mothers who gave birth for the first time between the ages of 13 and 19 in the Nuwara Eliya Medical Health Office area from 2020 to 2023. During the selected period in Sri Lanka, there was a notable prevalence of teenage pregnancies, which coincided with various socioeconomic challenges affecting the country. This situation provides a valuable opportunity to analyse the multiple factors contributing to adolescent pregnancies. The data collection process included identifying pregnant mothers, clarifying the study's objectives, administering questionnaires, formulating open-ended questionnaires, and arranging interview arrangements. After data purification, 153 responses were analysed. As per the results, the above-stated factors were significantly contributing to teenage pregnancy, and among those, lack of knowledge (individual factors) and mother migration (social factors) were acknowledged as the leading contributing dimensions of teenage pregnancy. The study's findings demonstrate the significant role of social welfare professionals in mitigating teenage pregnancies through their implementation of social education programs. However, the study also indicates that the overall impact of these efforts is relatively limited, highlighting the need for further improvement and prompting ongoing debate regarding the adequacy and effectiveness of social welfare professionals' contributions. The researcher recommended actions for stakeholders, identified new factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in Sri Lanka, and proposed a model showing the role of social welfare professionals.

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is a pregnancy in a biologically, physically and psychologically developing girl child between the ages of 10 - 19 years. It is a public health and social problem worldwide. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in and concern about the problem of adolescent pregnancy and parenthood. Too young and too early parenthood can affect the obstetrics outcome and even future reproductive performance in a girl child. Aim: To determine the prevalence and obstetric outcomes of teenage pregnancy carried to viability at Federal Medical Centre Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective case review of all teenage pregnancies carried to viability seen at the Federal Medical Centre Owo between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023. Information was obtained from the hospital records. Data obtained was then coded, cleaned and analyzed using IBMM SPSS version 21.0 software. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, means and percentages were used to summarize the data. Chi square test was used to establish whether there is any association between variables. Result: Adolescent pregnancy was present in 2.0% of the 4,928 pregnancies and deliveries records that were reviewed. Obstetric outcomes of the adolescent pregnancies revealed 77 (78.6%) spontaneous vaginal births, 21 (21.4%) delivered by caesarean section and 2 (1.0%), instrumental deliveries. Foetal distress, cephalopelvic disproportion and pre-eclampsia were the most often seen problems among teenage pregnant women. Conclusion: This study showed prevalence of adolescent pregnancy of 2.0 % which was less than national average, the obstetrics outcomes appear to increase the risks to the teenage mothers.

Background: Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, with teenage mothers representing a particularly vulnerable population. Despite the high burden of mental health problems among teenage mothers in Rwanda, utilization of mental health services remains low. Understanding the perceived barriers and facilitators influencing service uptake is essential for improving access and outcomes. This study aimed to explore teenage mothers’ perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of mental health service utilization in Gasabo District, Rwanda. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed in three sectors of Gasabo District (Remera, Jali, and Kinyinya). A total of 39 teenage mothers aged 13–19 years who had previously sought mental health services were purposively selected. Data were collected through 15 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions. The interview guide was informed by the Health Belief Model. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14. Results: Teenage mothers identified multiple interrelated barriers and facilitators to mental health service utilization. Key barriers included lack of family and societal support, stigma, low awareness of available mental health services, downplaying of psychological distress, and poor continuity of care. Facilitators included mandatory referral through healthcare providers, peer support and peer-linked referrals, availability of free mental health services, and positive prior experiences with mental health care.Conclusion: Mental health service utilization among teenage mothers in Gasabo District is shaped by complex social, cultural, and health-system factors. Addressing stigma, strengthening family and community support, improving service continuity, and leveraging peer-based and provider-initiated linkages are critical to enhancing mental health service uptake among teenage mothers in Rwanda. Keywords: Adolescents, Barriers to care, Facilitators to care, maternal mental health, service uptake, qualitative

BackgroundRepeat teenage pregnancy is a global issue affecting low-, middle-, and high-income countries, with significant risks for both the mother and child. Despite the high prevalence of repeat teenage pregnancy in refugee or internally displaced persons camps, there are limited data on the phenomenon, particularly among teenage mothers residing in refugee settlements. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with repeat teenage pregnancies among teenage mothers in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis on data from a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on conveniently sampled adolescent girls aged 15–19 years, from Bidi Bidi and Palorinya refugee settlement camps in Northern Uganda. Cluster sampling techniques, where each settlement represented one cluster was used. The prevalence of repeat teenage pregnancies was assessed by self-reported number of pregnancies of more than one. We performed multivariable logistic regression on all variables with p<0.2 to assess for factors independently associated with repeat teenage pregnancy.ResultsWe included 131 participants with a median age of 18 (IQR: 18 to 19) years, the median age of sex debut was 16 (Range: 13–18), years, and 60.3% (n=79) were married. The prevalence of repeat teenage pregnancy was 24.4% (n=32). No factor was seen to be independently significant at the multivariable level.ConclusionThe study reveals a 24.4% rate of repeat teenage pregnancies among girls in northern Uganda’s refugee settlements. This prevalence shows a significant public health challenge, particularly in humanitarian contexts where access to reproductive health services is limited. While no specific independent risk factors were identified, bivariate analysis linked male-headed households and cohabitation with increased risk. These findings suggest that male-headed households and cohabitation may influence reproductive decision-making or access to contraception, potentially due to power dynamics or socio-cultural norms.

Adolescent mothers in the Caribbean represent a high-need, under-served population facing overlapping reproductive, mental health, and social challenges. Despite the urgency of these needs, few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) target this group using culturally tailored, integrated care models. The Teen motHers' ReproductIve and behaVioral health intErvention (THRIVE) was conceptualized in Barbados in April 2024 as a randomized trial to evaluate such a model. However, as of today, THRIVE has not launched due to prolonged Institutional Review Board (IRB) delays and cultural sensitivities surrounding adolescent pregnancy-barriers that reflect broader systemic challenges common across low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. In response, a parallel initiative-the Project Amai-was launched as a community-driven, service-based intervention outside the traditional RCT framework. Prioritizing cultural responsiveness, youth engagement and leadership, and low-barrier access, Amai reached a cohort of marginalized adolescent mothers and achieved high retention, program graduation, and improvements in agency and well-being within 8 months. This commentary contrasts the stalled progress of THRIVE with the rapid implementation of Amai to examine how institutional, infrastructural, and cultural factors shape the feasibility of equity-focused trials. We draw lessons for trialists working in under-resourced settings and suggest that advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in trials requires adaptive strategies-including pragmatic designs, regional ethics collaboration, and broader outcome measures in the Caribbean. These insights contribute to emerging models of inclusive global health research and offer actionable guidance for designing trials and programs that are not only methodologically rigorous but also socially just and accessible to those most in need.

The advent of Kenya’s devolution in 2010, caused county governments to be critical actors in vocational skills development through the vocational training centres (VTC). This literature review article explored the innovations selected county governments in Kenya had put in place to address the gap in the vocational training centers (VTC) since then. Innovation such as implementation of dual learning model,public private partnerships (PPTs), Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), formation of “Working Groups” for strategy coordination, infrastructure upgrading and tailoring of county specific local economies courses had been adopted. Further, some trainees had been given the opportunity to work at the Affordable Housing Programme while high-level advocacy, skills fairs and exhibitions were on. Childcare services to vulnerable teen mothers, youth innovation/empowerment centres and mobile solar powered computer classroom had been provided. To enhance sustainable social economic development and to bridge the skills gap further, from the global innovation reviewed, this paper recommends stakeholders to emulate PPTs in Germany and UK where companies bear the workplace training cost. Developing of well-structured apprenticeships and robust quality assurance frameworks and high-quality career guidance should be provided to improve the responsiveness of skills provision. Integration of artificial intelligence, Virtual and Augmented Reality and ensuring full adoption of CBET in all the VTCs should also be emphasized.

While pregnancy clearly reduces the risk for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) onset, we know less about the impact on AUD risk of having young children and how these effects vary across maternal age and level of maternal AUD genetic risk. Therefore, in 1.2 million parous Swedish women born 1960-1995, we examined those with a first registration for AUD between ages 15-40 while first pregnant, or while raising their first infant (aged 0-12 months), toddler (13-36 months) or preschooler (37-60 months). Genetic risk for AUD was assessed by their family genetic risk score. Pregnancy and having an infant consistently reduced AUD risk with the protective effect becoming stronger with increasing maternal genetic risk. Raising a toddler was modestly protective, but unrelated to genetic risk. Raising a preschooler, while unrelated to AUD risk in mothers with low genetic liability, in those at higher genetic liability increased AUD risk considerably. These effects varied substantially across maternal age. Being pregnant or having an infant were only marginally protective in teenage mothers. Compared to older mothers, younger mothers were considerably more sensitive to the predisposing effects on AUD risk of toddlers and preschoolers. The effects of pregnancy and rearing young children were muted at older maternal ages. We conclude that the risk for AUD mothers while pregnant or rearing small children varies substantially as a function of the age of the child, the genetic risk of the mother and the mother's age. These risk and protective factors can interact substantially with one another.

This study examined the risk of teenage motherhood among females whose mothers were incarcerated. Using linked administrative data from Western Australia, we examined 3 generations of individuals. Starting with the second generation, we identified 6218 adolescent females whose mothers had been incarcerated, matched 3:1 with 18 654 females whose mothers had not. The first generation comprised the 19 076 mothers of the second generation, and the third generation comprised the 3384 babies born to second-generation females aged 12 to 19years. Additional data captured sociodemographic characteristics and adversity exposures, including incarceration, mental illness, and substance use among first-generation mothers, and second-generation females' experiences of child maltreatment and family and domestic violence. We calculated rates and hazard ratios for births to second-generation teenage females whose mothers were or were not incarcerated, adjusting for adversity exposures and stratified by Aboriginal ethnicity. Of teenage mothers, 34% had experienced their own mother's incarceration prior to the birth of their child. The unadjusted rate of births to second-generation females whose mothers were incarcerated was 1.67 (95% CI, 1.56-1.80) times higher than the rate among unexposed females. After adjustment for sociodemographic and adversity factors, maternal incarceration was associated with an increased risk of teenage motherhood among second-generation females for both non-Aboriginal (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.22-2.17) and Aboriginal (aHR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05-1.29) females. Incarceration of mothers is associated with an increased risk of teenage motherhood in the next generation. Addressing the circumstances that precipitate teenage pregnancy may help improve child and maternal health and well-being and disrupt intergenerational cycles of disadvantage.

This study explores the views of teenage mothers regarding abortions of unexpected pregnancies at the village of Elim, Makhado Municipality in Limpopo Province. The study employed a qualitative approach, which recognizes the need for an in-depth exploration of these views using semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Snowball sampling was used to recruit five female participants between the ages of 15 and 19 years old. Furthermore, the researcher utilized the ecological systems framework to evaluate the context in which these teenage mothers’ function and how their perceptions regarding abortions are constructed over time based on their systems. The data was analyzed thematically, and interpretations were made based on the themes of the collected data. The study found that teenagers shared mixed feelings associated with considering abortion. Others consider having an abortion to be bad and good, while others say they will consider abortion if they become pregnant while not ready. Regarding the influences of either having an abortion or not, they cited that they will consider abortion if their parents, especially fathers and boyfriends, do not accept the pregnancy. The study also found that financial situation and age of a teenager may compel one to consider abortion. The study also found that teenagers are aware of the consequences of abortion. They cited the risk to life during and after pregnancy, while others believe the consequences are less severe as opposed to giving birth. Finally, the study also found the following barriers to abortion, peer pressure, lack of support for raising a child, and the cost of abortion can be a barrier. The study recommends that educating society about reproductive rights and offering platforms for open discussions about abortion can help reduce the moral pressure that often leads to feelings of moral conflicts and cognitive dissonance. Furthermore, social workers should advocate for broader access to reproductive health services and collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure teenage mothers receive accurate information and emotional support. Additionally, social workers can play a role in facilitating open communications within families and communities to lessen the stigma associated with abortion

Malnutrition poses a persistent public health challenge, particularly among India’s marginalised tribal communities. This case series explores four instances of severe acute malnutrition in infants from remote tribal communities in south India, highlighting intersecting social determinants, such as maternal illiteracy, unrecognised pregnancy, teenage motherhood, financial insecurity and limited access to antenatal care. Through these cases, we underscore the complex web of structural and cultural barriers that hinder effective nutritional practices and timely healthcare utilisation. The findings emphasise the urgent need for community-sensitive, targeted interventions in maternal health awareness and child nutrition support.