Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / Background: There are a high number of teenagers seeking Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) at Maggys Hope Clinic in Polokwane Municipality in Capricorn District in Limpopo Province after the Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed in 1997. The numbers have doubled since the inception of the Children's Act no 38 of 2005 and the Sexual Offences Bill in 2008. The report by Stats SA and Department of education also indicated that the numbers have also doubled. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the factors contributing to termination of pregnancies amongst teenagers at Maggys Hope Clinic in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design was used to identify and describe the factors contributing to termination of pregnancies among teenagers in Maggys Hope Clinic in Capricorn district Limpopo Province South Africa, in April 2014. Results: The results of the study revealed that CTOP legislation is one of the reasons why teenagers terminate. All the twenty participants indicated age and marital status as the motivation as the contributing factor. Looking at the age and educational level the most pushing factor is that thirteen of the participants are still at school. Eleven of the participants have no knowledge of contraceptives. This is a serious concern. Participants indicated that they had very little knowledge on reproductive health issues. The rest of the pushing factors are parental pressure, contraceptive failure, fear of parental disappointment and unpreparedness to raise a child as well. Conclusion: It can thus be concluded that teenage termination of pregnancies is a major health concern in South Africa, Africa and globally. Teenagers’ health is in danger due to engaging in unprotected sex banking on TOP as a solution. The study found that age and fear from dropping out of school, lack parental involvement in sexual matters, family economic status and marital status, including lack of knowledge and information on reproductive health issues, were the main factors contributing to termination of pregnancies among teenagers in Maggys Hope Clinic in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province.

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Hierdie studie toon dat vroue wat vir terminasie van swangerskappe aanmeld, se behoeftes wyer as bloot die verwydering van die fetus strek. Die diversiteit van probleme, vra 'n beradingsbenadering wat holisties van aard is. Indien die sosiale, psigiese en spirituele behoeftes nie aangespreek word nie, het ons in die holistiese hantering gefaal. Die Department Huisartskunde waar ek werksaam is, beywer hom vir 'n holistiese benadering van die pasient. Hierdie benadering word ook deur die huidige SuidAfrikaanse Regering onderskryf. Die vrou met die ongewenste swangerskap het 'n behoefte om, behalwe die fisieke probleme, in totaliteit verstaan en gehoor te word. Sy smag na 'n berader wat saam met haar deur die kompleksiteit van die probleem kan dink en voel. Die holistiese benadering behels die fisieke sowel as die psigiese, maatskaplike en spirituele behoeftes. Die studie het te doen met 'n soeke na 'n beradingsbenadering wat in al die behoeftesvan die vrou sal voorsien. / This study demonstrates that the needs of women requesting a termination of pregnancy extend much further than the mere removal of the foetus. The diversity of problems demands a counselling approach that is holistic in nature. We will fail in this holistic management, should the social, psychological and spiritual needs not be addressed. The Department of Family Medicine where I am employed strives towards a holistic approach to the patient. This approach is also endorsed by the present South African Government. The woman with an unwanted pregnancy needs to be heard and understood in totality, over-and-above the physical problem. She yearns for a counsellor who can think and feel through the complexity of the problem together with her. The holistic approach includes the physical, as well as the psychological, social and spiritual aspects. The study involves a search for a counselling approach which provides for all these needs of the women. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Praktiese Teologie - met spesialisering in Pastorale Terapie)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Hierdie studie toon dat vroue wat vir terminasie van swangerskappe aanmeld, se behoeftes wyer as bloot die verwydering van die fetus strek. Die diversiteit van probleme, vra 'n beradingsbenadering wat holisties van aard is. Indien die sosiale, psigiese en spirituele behoeftes nie aangespreek word nie, het ons in die holistiese hantering gefaal. Die Department Huisartskunde waar ek werksaam is, beywer hom vir 'n holistiese benadering van die pasient. Hierdie benadering word ook deur die huidige SuidAfrikaanse Regering onderskryf. Die vrou met die ongewenste swangerskap het 'n behoefte om, behalwe die fisieke probleme, in totaliteit verstaan en gehoor te word. Sy smag na 'n berader wat saam met haar deur die kompleksiteit van die probleem kan dink en voel. Die holistiese benadering behels die fisieke sowel as die psigiese, maatskaplike en spirituele behoeftes. Die studie het te doen met 'n soeke na 'n beradingsbenadering wat in al die behoeftesvan die vrou sal voorsien. / This study demonstrates that the needs of women requesting a termination of pregnancy extend much further than the mere removal of the foetus. The diversity of problems demands a counselling approach that is holistic in nature. We will fail in this holistic management, should the social, psychological and spiritual needs not be addressed. The Department of Family Medicine where I am employed strives towards a holistic approach to the patient. This approach is also endorsed by the present South African Government. The woman with an unwanted pregnancy needs to be heard and understood in totality, over-and-above the physical problem. She yearns for a counsellor who can think and feel through the complexity of the problem together with her. The holistic approach includes the physical, as well as the psychological, social and spiritual aspects. The study involves a search for a counselling approach which provides for all these needs of the women. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Praktiese Teologie - met spesialisering in Pastorale Terapie)