Sociocultural factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in Zomba district, Malawi

Abstract

This study explores sociocultural and other risk factors associated with unplanned teenage pregnancy in Zomba district of Malawi. Data were obtained from 505 participants under the age of 20 years using a questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews held at five antenatal clinics. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency tables and chi-square analysis which allowed comparative understanding of the sociocultural risk factors for planned and unplanned teenage pregnancy in Zomba district. The findings revealed that teenage pregnancy is a major health and social problem. Over 76% of the teenage respondents in the study had experienced unplanned pregnancy. Among the prominent factors that stood out in the analysis for this high rate of teenage pregnancy were early sex and marriage, low contraceptive use, low educational levels, low socio-economic status, lack of knowledge of reproductive and sexual health, gender inequity, and physical/sexual violence. The consequences on teenage mothers of unplanned pregnancy have been tragic and have compromised their physical, psychological and socioeconomic wellbeing, not just on them but also their families and society at large. The findings point to the need for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the problem on teenage pregnancy in this district, and likely throughout Malawi.

Girls’ Empowerment and Adolescent Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

“…Previous studies with different populations support this view. Observational studies have shown several correlations of higher education attainment, noted as educational empowerment with lower chances of adolescence pregnancy [42][43][44]. Conversely, adolescent mothers are less likely to complete formal education [43,45].…”

‘They are a shame to the community … ’ stigma, school attendance, solitude and resilience among pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers in Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda

“…Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have some of the highest rates of early childbearing in the world (Human Rights Watch, 2018;Kaphagawani & Kalipeni, 2017;Omoro et al, 2018;Treffers, 2003;Yakubu & Salisu, 2018), particularly in East Africa with a rate of 21.5% (Kassa et al, 2018). Within the East African Community (EAC), 1 high rates of teenage pregnancy have been reported for Uganda and Tanzania, with 140 and 132 births per 1000 women aged 15-19 years respectively (UNFPA, 2019).…”

“…Teenage pregnancy is recognised as having many negative consequences: for the girls, their children and for a country's development. Previous research has highlighted poor health outcomes (pregnancy and delivery complications, unsafe abortion, mortality), increased gender inequality and a considerable reduction in economic growth chances (Kaphagawani & Kalipeni, 2017;Laski, 2015;Middleman & Zimet, 2016;Omoro et al, 2018;Wachira et al, 2016). Significantly, teenage pregnancy is a serious concern for and a threat to gender parity in education, as it contributes to girls dropping out of school (Laski, 2015;Middleman & Zimet, 2016).…”

Maternal and child health in Africa for sustainable development goals beyond 2015

“…What follows below is a synopsis of each article under these three overarching themes. The first group on maternal health contains four articles, that is, Okigbo, Adegoke, and Olorunsaiye (2017), Oyibo, Watt, and Weller (2017), Sofolahan-Oladeinde, Conserve, Iwelunmor, Airhihenbuwa, and Gbadegesin (2017) and Kaphagawani and Kalipeni (2017). These four articles examine issues concerning reproductive health indicators, community perceptions of maternal mortality, application of the PEN-3 cultural model to childbearing decision-making of women living with HIV and AIDS, and the problem of teenage pregnancy.…”

“…Kaphagawani and Kalipeni (2017) note that teenage pregnancy is a major health and social problem in Malawi because of its physical, psychological and socio-economic consequences on the teenage mother, her family and the society as a whole. The case study explores risk factors associated with unplanned teenage pregnancy in the Zomba District.…”