A qualitative, descriptive, contextual study design was used to describe the role of antenatal services in supporting teenage pregnant girls in Leribe district of Lesotho. The study population consisted of all teenage pregnant girls between 13-19 years of age. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to identify potential participants. Data was collected by means of tape-recorded in-depth individual, semistructured interviews and analysed using Tesch’s descriptive method of qualitative data analysis (Creswell 2009:186). The findings of this study revealed that teenage pregnant girls require comprehensive antenatal services that are sensitive to the needs related to their age. Strategies in which antenatal services can be strengthened to support teenage pregnant girls better were described / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe factors that affect the utilisation of antenatal services by pregnant adolescents in Muheza district, Tanzania. Quantitative, descriptive study was used. The Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilisation were used as a conceptual framework. The study population consisted of 235 adolescents who delivered in the Muheza district while attending postnatal clinics and health centres providing reproductive health services between January 2012 and March 2012. The findings revealed a high percentage of under- utilisation of ANC due to low level of education, low individual and household income, inadequate knowledge about sexuality and poor attitudes towards reproductive health services as exemplified by low prevalence of contraceptive use. The distance from clinic, the use of family planning methods, source of antenatal care and having more than four children under 16 years were associated with adequate utilisation of antenatal services. Recommendations were made to promote antenatal services usage by pregnant adolescents in Tanzania. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe factors that affect the utilisation of antenatal services by pregnant adolescents in Muheza district, Tanzania. Quantitative, descriptive study was used. The Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilisation were used as a conceptual framework. The study population consisted of 235 adolescents who delivered in the Muheza district while attending postnatal clinics and health centres providing reproductive health services between January 2012 and March 2012. The findings revealed a high percentage of under- utilisation of ANC due to low level of education, low individual and household income, inadequate knowledge about sexuality and poor attitudes towards reproductive health services as exemplified by low prevalence of contraceptive use. The distance from clinic, the use of family planning methods, source of antenatal care and having more than four children under 16 years were associated with adequate utilisation of antenatal services. Recommendations were made to promote antenatal services usage by pregnant adolescents in Tanzania. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

A qualitative, descriptive, contextual study design was used to describe the role of antenatal services in supporting teenage pregnant girls in Leribe district of Lesotho. The study population consisted of all teenage pregnant girls between 13-19 years of age. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to identify potential participants. Data was collected by means of tape-recorded in-depth individual, semistructured interviews and analysed using Tesch’s descriptive method of qualitative data analysis (Creswell 2009:186). The findings of this study revealed that teenage pregnant girls require comprehensive antenatal services that are sensitive to the needs related to their age. Strategies in which antenatal services can be strengthened to support teenage pregnant girls better were described / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)