An investigation in the life histories of adolescents girls with early pregnancies in Mazabuka district

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy does not only come with obstetric complications but is also associated with several social issues: poverty, low education levels, and the lack of awareness about sex and pregnancy prevention. This study on the „life histories of adolescent girls with early pregnancies‟ considered examining the characteristic of these girls through the narrations of their life histories to try and answer questions like „who are these girls?‟ A qualitative study with a narrative approach was used. Data was collected using time-line interviews for adolescents and questionnaire guides for the key informants. They were 21 adolescents and 7 key informants that participated in this study. The age range for the girls was 13 to 19 years old. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Sub themes and Major themes emerged from the analysis. The study revealed that these girls mainly come from socially and economically disadvantaged families, due to death of their fathers, resulting to single parenting households. Poor family financial position exposed them to child labor and school drop outs. They are at risk of being raped by close family members, unfortunately they lack sex education and do not use contraceptives. Adolescents with early pregnancies presented to have some common characteristics, of being orphans, emotionally vulnerable, poor social economic family background, were sexually abused by elderly men to heal from sexually transmitted infections and accumulation of wealth. They experienced poor parenting styles, were victims of child labor and child circulation. Peer influence was quite prominent. Five major themes emerged from their characteristics Individual characteristics, family relations, Peer relationships, Social economic, Spiritual and Community characteristics. Children who grow with poor family social and financial resources may not realize their dreams for education or job can be hindered by early childbearing. Hence the need to stop judging adolescents with early pregnancies but work together for solutions. Key words; adolescent pregnancy, characteristic, disadvantaged family, sex education