FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN THE BUEA HEALTH DISTRICT

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy is regarded as a major socio-medical and socioeconomic phenomenon in both developed and developing countries with the majority of the cases seen in low and middle-income countries and has to be estimated of 16 million teenage births yearly. Worldwide 11% of all births are to adolescent mothers.

A sustainable effort needs to be done in Cameroon in order to decrease the number of teenage pregnancies by sensitizing the teens about the consequences of teenage pregnancy.

The aim of this study is to contribute towards an understanding of the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy and its consequences in the Buea Health District.

Objectives: To determine the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy, to evaluate the consequences of teenage pregnancy, and to investigate possible solutions to curb down teenage pregnancy.

Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from the month of May to June 2021. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data from 60 participants from 4 health centers in the Buea Health District.

A purposive sampling technique was used to select our various health facilities and a convenient sampling to select our participants.

Results: The factors contributing to teenage pregnancy included, limited communication between parents and teens, peer pressure, the influence of media, lack of knowledge on contraceptives, early sexual debut, drugs, and alcohol intake. The consequences of teenage pregnancy include school dropout, low self-esteem, unwanted babies and depression, unsafe abortions.

Conclusion: The factors driving teenage pregnancy are complex and varied with short and long-term effects not only for teenagers and their babies but for the entire family and society and therefore require multifaceted interventions.

Recommendations We recommend improvements related to sex education and adolescents-friendly contraceptive services should be put in place.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Teenage pregnancy is defined as the premature pregnancy of under-aged girls usually within the ages of 13 to 19 [1]. Teenage pregnancy remains an important and complex issue around the world [2].

In the developing world, one-third to one-half of women become mothers before the age of 20 and pregnancy-related complications have become the leading causes of death among them [3,4]. The teenage pregnancy rate in the USA was 6.78% per 1000 women aged 15- 19 in 2008[5].

The concentration of adolescent girls aged 10-17 will also change significantly, with the largest increase occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, where adolescent pregnancy is most common, and the rate of contraceptive use the lowest in the world.

In low and middle-income countries about 16 million girls aged between 15 and 19 years and 1 million girls under 15 years give birth each year (World Health Organization, 2014). In Cameroon, the 2014 General Household Survey revealed that the prevalence of teenage pregnancy increased progressively by age: 0.8%, 1.9%, 4.2%, 4.8%, 9.6% and 11.9% for age groups 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 years respectively (Stats SA, 2014).

Reproductive health in Cameroon remains a major public health challenge with an elevated maternal mortality rate. The maternal mortality rate is estimated at 782 deaths per 100,000 live births [6]. This high mortality rate remains a dilemma because it involves the young mothers at the moment where they are given birth.

In addition, adolescents contribute 28% of maternal mortality in Cameroon [6]. According to DHS 2011, 25.6% of adolescents 15-19 have started sexual intercourse and 21% of them have had a child and 4% are pregnant for the first time.

Still from the same source fertility rate of this age group is 127% which increase rapidly and attained a maximum of 250% within the age group 25-29yrs, suggesting that teenage pregnancy may be on the increase.

The proportion of adolescents who have started fertility grow rapidly with age, 5% for 15yrs to 48% for 19yrs and the rate stood at 18% in the northwest region [6] Therefore reducing teenage pregnancy, chiefly by promoting the use of contraceptives will be necessary in order to prevent consequences that are associated with teenage pregnancy.

Nevertheless, promoting the use of contraceptives alone does not necessarily reduce teenage pregnancy in developing as in developed countries, therefore others factors may be playing a major role.

The health and social consequences of teenage pregnancy are serious and wide-ranging. Pregnancy and childbirth complications are the second leading cause of death among 15 to 19-year-old women globally [7] Teenage girls account for 14% of the estimated 20 million unsafe abortions performed globally each year, which results in 68 000 deaths [1].

Teenage pregnancy has been viewed as a social problem that has implications for the development and empowerment of women in Cameroon [8]. It is noted that teenage pregnancy is not just an issue of reproductive health and young women’s bodies but, rather one in its causes and consequences that is rooted in women’s gendered social environment.

Teenagers who get pregnant are less likely to complete their high school education, which seems to be one of the major obstacles in the educational development of young women in Cameroon [9].

In order to address the problem of teenage pregnancies in the Buea Health District, the aim of this paper is to contribute towards an understanding of the factors that influence teenage pregnancy and their consequences, by exploring the individual, social and structural factors influencing teenage pregnancy.

Teenage pregnancy is a call for concern because adolescent pregnancy remains a major determining factor of maternal and child mortality. Childbirth complications and Pregnancy and are the leading cause of death among 15-19-year-old girls globally, with low and middle-income countries accounting for 99% of global maternal deaths of women aged 15-49 years [6].

Child mothers (aged 10-19 years) face higher risks of puerperal endometritis, eclampsia and systemic infections than women aged 20-24 years [7]. Furthermore, the emotional, psychological, and social needs of pregnant adolescent girls can be greater than those of other women [1]. Early childbearing has been shown to increase risks for newborns, as well as young mothers.

In low- and middle-income countries, the neonatal mortality rate was 14.5 per 1000, compared with 7.6, 5.5, and 4.6 per 1000 among infants to mothers aged 16, 17, 18, 19 years respectively. Babies born to mothers under 20 years of age face higher risks of severe neonatal conditions, low birth weight, preterm delivery, and asphyxia [8].

1.3 Problem statement

Teenage pregnancy is a societal problem, a family problem and a personal problem to be enrolled into one. Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide problem affecting both developed and developing countries.

Although a limited number of cases of teenage pregnancy may be considered as a positive experience, studies show that it is associated with psychological, physical, and economic problems. Adolescent pregnancy, low self-esteem growing rapidly among school-going pupils, and it leads to teenagers dropping out of school to care for their babies [3].

Furthermore, the emotional, psychological, and social needs of pregnant adolescent girls can be greater than those of other women [7]. Early childbearing has been shown to increase risks for newborns, as well as young mothers.

In the Buea Health District, babies born to mothers under 20 years of age face higher risks of severe neonatal conditions, low birth weight, and preterm delivery [8]. Newborns born to child mothers are also at greater risk of having low neonatal birth weight, with long-term potential effects.

1.3 Rationale of the study

This study is significant because morbidity, health, and social problems from teenage pregnancy lead to short-term and long medical, psychological and socio-economic implications affecting the individuals involved their families, and society at large.

The purpose of this study is to understand the causes of teenage pregnancy by exploring the individual, social and structural factors contributing to teenage pregnancy and their health and socio-economical consequences in the Buea Health District.

1.4 Objectives of the study

1.4.1 General objective

The main objective of the study is to explore the factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy and its consequences.

1.4.2    Specific Objectives

1. To determine factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy.
2. To evaluate the consequences of teenage pregnancy on teenagers.
3. To investigate possible solutions to Curb down teenage pregnancy.