Experiences of teenage mothers in the informal settlements : an analysis of young females' reproductive health challenges, a case study of Siyanda informal settlement.
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The reported percentage of births attributable to school going learners has \nhighlighted the concern for adolescents engaging in early and unsafe sexual \npractices. A review of literature suggests that early sexual initiation and the \nlikelihood of experiencing teenage pregnancy can impede on adolescents' \nability to acquire skills, attain high levels of education, and access \nsocioeconomic opportunities. Relatively less attention has been paid to the \nreproductive patterns and sexual behaviour of adolescents within informal \nsettlements. This research, conducted in Siyanda informal settlement on the \noutskirts of KwaMashu Township, is designed to explore the sexual patterns \nand reproductive behaviour of the adolescents there. The study examines \ndifferences in sexual behaviour and childbearing experiences among teen \nmothers, currently pregnant teens; and those that have never experienced \npregnancy. \nThe findings suggest that the majority of adolescents residing in informal \nsettlements experiment with and engage in sexual intercourse at ages much \nearlier than 19. Most teenagers experienced their first sexual intercourse by \nthe second year of high school education. Teen mothers reported higher \nincidence of multiple sexual partners. Across all adolescents interviewed, \nthe preferred sexual partners were much older males because of level of \nmaturity, financial status; and the ability to negotiate use of contraceptives. \nPart of the cause of high incidents of teenage pregnancy within this \nenvironment was the lack of consistent usage of contraceptives. Many \nadolescents perceived usage of contraceptives to be impractical prior to \nconception of first birth. \nThe experience of childbearing was found to have detrimental implications \non these young females‟ educational attainment. Many of these adolescent \nfailed to resume school to complete their education due to the lack of \nemotional and financial support from their partners and family members. \nMany adolescents highlighted their discontent with the lack of youth \nintegration with the lack of youth \nintegration in community based programmes. Furthermore, communication \nbarriers in nearby health facilities as well as transport restricted their \naccessibility to obtain counselling with regards to their sexual activities and \nreproductive patterns. Thus, it is recommended that service delivery should \nbe improved, including providing more health facilities especially the range \nof methods through which health officials such as nurses, social workers \nand counsellors which can be made easily accessible to these adolescents on a regular basis.
Author: Carminee. Govender
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Research Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W1565559405