Abstract:
Unplanned pregnancy is a major medical, social and public health problem worldwide. This
problem affects learners’ performance and leads to a high learner drop-out rate at schools.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing unplanned pregnancy
among high school learners in the Collins Chabane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South
Africa. A quantitative study using survey methods was used. A structured questionnaire was
used to collect data. The total sample size was 362 female learners ranged between
learners whose ages ranged between 16 and 24. Only female learners in the school were
recruited to participate in the study. Validity and Reliability were ensured. Data were
analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 program. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used
to summarize and present the data. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the
Department of Education, Limpopo Province, the Malamulele Circuit and the Principal of the
school. Informed consent was obtained from parents on behalf of female learners under 18
years of age. Confidentiality and anonymity was ensured. The study found that about 58.2%
of adolescents had used contraceptives, while 64.1% indicated that they needed more
information on contraceptive methods and their use. The study also found that about 71.8%
of the respondents had abstained from sexual activities in order to avoid unplanned
pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies were found to be associated with ignorance of the
consequences of sexual activities, information about sex from their peers and the power
imbalance in sexual relationships between male and female adolescents. It is recommended
that adolescents be given adequate information about contraceptives, addressing the
advantages, disadvantages, side effects and how to manage their side effects. This would
help mitigate against the negative attitudes that the adolescents have toward contraceptives
owing to misinformation and misconceptions. In addition, school health nurses should use
Information Education Communication (IEC) materials on family planning to increase
awareness about family planning and to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The IEC materials
should be in the most common languages of Limpopo Province, i.e. Sepedi, Xitsonga and
Tshivenda for clear understanding of the content.
