A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTERS DEGREE IN (COMMUNITY WORK) IN THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT (FACULTY OF ARTS) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 2008. / The study investigated the effects of unplanned pregnancy on female students at the University of Zululand. The sample consisted of 22 female students whose ages range from 15-26+. Female students who are sexually active were more likely to use no contraceptives, which puts them at a high risk of unplanned pregnancy. Some are influenced by their partners regarding birth control or they forget to use contraceptives altogether. University students engage in sexual intercourse, generally with multiple partners. The University of Zululand female students are faced with the problem of unplanned pregnancies, which is very high. It has become imperative, therefore, to get some answers to the questions as to why some fall pregnant and say it was unplanned and some do not know who impregnated them. The researcher wanted to examine perceptions of the effects of unplanned pregnancy on female students; to examine long term or on-going effects that female students might experience after termination of pregnancy or miscarriage, and to investigate the level of knowledge related to contraceptives and other means of preventing unplanned pregnancy. The findings show that it is the young adults (15-19) years of age that are mostly affected by unplanned pregnancies. Racial group are the blacks, those who are not married, are mostly experiencing unplanned pregnancy. There are a few people who are using contraceptives; this also indicates that there is lot that needs to be done in educating people about the use of contraceptives.

Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfillment of requirement for the degree of MA (Counseling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009. / Teenage pregnancy is an ever increasing problem that is facing South Africa. Curbing teenage pregnancy is the great challenge that is facing the country as a whole. This study investigated teenagers* perceptions of early teenage pregnancy and their suggested solutions. Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning was used to understand their reasoning. A total of 40 females from semi-rural school and semi-urban school were randomly selected to participate in the study. Participants were in grade five to grade eight. Questionnaires with open-ended questions were utilized to collect data. The qualitative data was in the form of written words, the data was analyzed, categories and put into themes which were later generalized. Whereas the quantitative data was coded into numerical forms, and to which statistical analyses may be applied to determine the significance of the findings. Teenage perceptions about teenage pregnancy were discovered, factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy and the possible suggestions were supplied in the later stages of the study. In conclusion, teenage pregnancy is not only affecting the government, it also affects teenagers themselves, families, communities and the country as a whole. To curb this pandemic, we need to work together as citizen of South Africa to come up with strategies or ways of dealing with this current problem. / National Research Fund (NRF)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2000. / The aim of this study was to investigate the life-world of the schoolgirl-mother. The study commenced with an orientation framework in which the problem of the high incidence of teenage pregnancies was analyzed. The orientation to this study is followed by a chapter concerning the design of the research, substantiating the choice of format, methods of data collection and analysis. A qualitative research method was chosen on account of its explorative, descriptive and contextual nature. Data was collected by means of interviews with schoolgirl-mothers. The data was analyzed by using a phenomenological approach in which emerging themes were identified. This was followed by a literature review to compare and complement the qualitative data analysis. The results from the qualitative research showed that adolescent girls are not adequately informed about the meaning of the onset of menarche and this lack of authentic knowledge may result in teenage pregnancy while still in school. Most girls fell pregnant between the ages of 15 and 17 years. Schoolgirl-mothers also indicated their lack of knowledge concerning the availability and use of contraceptives. The study revealed a relation between socio-economic status and teenage pregnancy and a recurrence of adolescent parents with each new generation. Teenage pregnancy is associated with interruption in schooling and school dropout. In the literature review the life-world of the schoolgirl-mother was discussed. She can only form a meaningful life-world by forming meaningful relationships with the self, other people, things and ideas and religion. Being a teenage mother causes these relationships to become impaired because the girl is not mature enough or emotionally ready for the responsibilities of motherhood. The study concludes with findings from the research and the following recommendations were made: Accountable sexuality education must be available to all teenagers. Clinics must be easily accessible with adequately equipped personnel to assist teenagers on all aspects of sexuality.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect pregnancy has on a schoolgirl’s education. The focus was on secondary schools in the Pietermaritzburg district in KwaZulu-Natal. An introductory literature review was provided of the reasons for the high prevalence of pregnancy amongst schoolgirls. Research conducted during 2011 in South Africa has found that by the age of 18 years more than thirty percent (31,5%) of girls have given birth at least once. At a meeting on June 2012, the MEC for education in KwaZulu-Natal acknowledged that schoolgirls are falling pregnant in their thousands. Conditions under which the problem of schoolgirl pregnancy occurs is not homogeneous and may vary from one demographic background to another. Schoolgirl pregnancy is mostly associated with frequent sex without reliable or no contraception, peer pressure, inadequate knowledge about sexuality, sexual coercion, proof of fertility, poor socio-economic conditions and promiscuity. Schoolgirl pregnancy affects the educational success of most teenage girls in South Africa. Although a schoolgirl is allowed to return to school after the birth of her baby she is faced with many challenges in trying to cope with the demands of motherhood and schooling simultaneously. Therefore many pregnant girls drop out of school and continue the poverty cycle in which they are trapped. Research has established that pregnancy and motherhood have a profound impact on the mother and child by placing limits on her educational achievement and economic stability as well as predisposing her to single parenthood. For the purpose of the empirical investigation a self-structured questionnaire was utilized to obtain educators perceptions concerning the effect of pregnancy on a schoolgirl’s education. A quantitative descriptive analysis was undertaken of the completed questionnaires. In conclusion a summary of the study and findings emanating from the literature and empirical investigation were presented. Based on these findings the following recommendations were made: • The Department of Education must ensure that an effective sexuality programme is offered at all schools. The programme should focus on prevention of pregnancy and second chance opportunities for schoolgirl mothers. • The government in collaboration with education departments should establish health clinics that are linked to schools.

Submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2010. / Teenage pregnancy in high schools is one of the major concerns among education stakeholders in Lesotho. This observation warrants an investigation into how teachers perceive this phenomenon. The study sought among other things to identify factors teachers perceive to be contributing to teenage pregnancy, including the consequences. A descriptive research design was used and purposive sampling was employed to identify participating schools and participants from the Qacha's Nek district of Lesotho. A purposive sample was deemed appropriate for this study. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire and was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of this study indicate that teachers have negative perceptions towards teenage pregnancy. The findings of this study also reveal that factors such as gender, age, grade level and teaching experience influence perceptions of teachers towards teenage pregnancy. The study also reveals factors that teachers conceive of as causes of teenage pregnancy, including the consequences of teenage pregnancy.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education (Educational Psychology) in the Department of Educational Psychology & Special Education Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / The aims of the study are:  To establish what the reasons are for the high number of pregnant girls in schools.  To reveal the consequences of schoolgirl pregnancy.  To find out the nature of the support available for pregnant schoolgirls.

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Fetal overgrowth is associated with adverse outcomes for offspring and with maternal obesity. Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis showed that maternal obesity is associated with fetal overgrowth, defined as birthweight ≥4000g (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.92, 2.45), birthweight ≥4500g (OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.22, 3.45) and birthweight ≥90%ile for gestational age (OR 2.42, 95% CI 2.16, 2.72). A retrospective cohort study revealed that mothers whose infants are macrosomic are more likely to require induction of labour (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.98) and delivery by Cesarean section (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.04-2.01), particularly for maternal indications (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.47-9.34), if they are obese. Infants from these pregnancies are significantly more likely to require neonatal resuscitation in the form of free flow oxygen (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.03, 2.42) than macrosomic infants of non-obese mothers. Thus, co-existing maternal obesity and macrosomia increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.