The experiences of teenage pregnancy by teenage mothers in the Thulamela Municipality of the Vhembe District in Limpopo Province

Abstract

Study background and purpose: Teenage pregnancy is a significant problem in today's society as it interferes with teenagers achieving success in life. Teenage pregnancy tends to prevent teenage mothers from compfeting their studies and places additional financial burdens on their parents. In developed countries, teenage pregnancy usually occurs outside marriage and in many communities and cultures carries a social stigma. However, teenage pregnancy may also be the resuU of sexuaf abuse or 1ncest, both of which feave emotionaf scars. The teenage mother may still be a scholar, with plans for the future and unresolved relationships. Still being a child herself, she is not sufficiently emotionally mature to take care of another child. This may lead to denial, parental rejection and the procurement of an unsafe abortion. Despite the heafth department services available, like family planning and the termination of pregnancies, the incidence of teenage pregnancy continues to rise. The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of pregnancy by teenage mothers in the Thulamela municipal of the Vhembe district, Umpopo Province.

Study objectives: To explore and describe the experiences of teenage pregnancy and to identify and describe the factors that led to the pregnancy, as experienced by the teenage mothers. Methods: The study used a quaf1tat1ve design to expfore and describe the perceptions and experiences of teenage mothers. The study population comprised teenage mothers between 13 and 17 years of age, residing in the Thulamela Municipality of the Vhembe District in Limpopo province. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of teenage mothers from each of the five villages, and then a snowballing sampling technique was used to identify the 30 participants who met the criteria of the study. A different number of participants was identified in each village, as this depended on their availability. Data was collected through in-depth individual unstructured interviews, using two broad questions, "How did you experience teenage pregnancy? and, "What were the factors that contributed to your becoming pregnant?" During interviews, data was tape recorded and field notes were taken. Tesch' model for data analysis was used as guideline. The trustworthiness of the study (its credibility, dependability, confirmabilty and transferability strategies) was ensured, and all recommended ethical considerations were observed.

Study Findings: Five major themes and sub-themes emerged. The findings of the study are discussed around the perceptions of the experience of pregnancy by the teenage mothers and their parents and male partners; abortion and the use of services to terminate pregnancy; knowledge of contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS; factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy; and their perception of the consequences of pregnancy.

Implications and recommendations: The study showed that the teenage mothers sampled experienced psychosocial, physiological, and economical problems. Various persons and institutions namely parents, teachers, health care providers, community and the government, failed to empower the teenage mothers with the knowledge and skills they required to make informed choices about their future. The study highlights the importance of coordinating multidisciplinary and intersectoral teams, involving parties such as school governors, School Health Services, Department of Education, communities and families, in order to find solutions to issues surrounding teenage pregnancies.