Unplanned adolescent pregnancy is one of the challenges that South Africa has been dealing with for years. This challenge is further complicated by the soaring HIV/AIDS infection rates, particularly among young people. The study aimed to explore adolescents’ understanding and meaning of the continuing unplanned pregnancies among adolescents in view of high HIV/AIDS prevalence. Thirteen male and female adolescents aged between 14 years and 25 years made up the participants. Three of them are mothers, four are university students and eight are high school learners. The study was undertaken in a high school, a university, and a clinic in Soweto. Unstructured interviews were used and the topics included adolescents’ knowledge on HIV/AIDS, their thoughts on the continued high levels of unplanned adolescent pregnancies, and their perceptions of the consequences thereof. The participants viewed unplanned adolescent pregnancies as a continuing problem within their communities. Unplanned adolescent pregnancy was described as a product of several factors within and beyond the control of young people. Some of the identified contributory factors are impulsivity, perceived invulnerability, financial dependence, and underdeveloped planning on the part of adolescents. Fertility is highly regarded in certain societies. The participants have a good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, which they receive from several sources such as schools, media, etc. However, HIV/AIDS is not always a deterrent to unprotected sex and the subsequent unplanned pregnancies among adolescents. Most participants do not see the relationship between unplanned pregnancies and HIV/AIDS. Instead, some young people see the prevention of pregnancy as more important than the preservation of life through the prevention of HIV infection. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS does not translate into behaviour change. A significant underestimation of personal risk to HIV/AIDS was observed. The fatality and reality of HIV/AIDS is often ignored and denied.

Teenage pregnancies by married men are challenges and serious problems that are affecting Vhurivhuri, and other areas within the Vhembe district. The aim of this research is to add value towards a way of unfolding impacts regarding teenage pregnancies by married men, especially of those teenagers who are impregnated by married men who end up dampening them with the responsibility of raising their children alone. Another issue which this research study is focusing on is the issue of betrayal that these traumatised teenagers undergoes when married men who impregnated them refuses the responsibilities of caring for the child, and to the extend of no longer fulfilling their promises of marriage. This research study is focused on the traumatic experiences that these teenagers goes through as they continue with their lives, their studies happen to be affected as some of them discontinues their studies. This research study explored a model of pastoral care in which the affected teenagers have to be helped to acquire healing after trauma counselling by the pastoral care givers who are empowered through this research. A model which has been employed in this research includes the one of the shepherding method of Charles Gerkin and of Adams which is on pastoral care as shepherding of flocks which belonging to God. The word of God has been used to explore where the author wanted to show His love towards his people even when they are under difficult circumstances. <p This research study has also indicated roles of different groups and individuals who should contribute to the sake of healing which traumatised teenagers in this problem. It also have to include the issue of HIV/AIDS as a problem which is having a connection with teenage pregnancies by married men which endangers lives of teenagers who are affected as they get into sexual relationship with unfaithful married men, this is another gap to be researched on in future either in my doctoral level or by someone else. If teenage pregnancies by married men continue within our society, our future is at high risk of HIV/AIDS as there are some practices of unprotected sex involved. This problem not only affects teenagers but their faithful wives who are married to these unfaithful men. By addressing this issue of teenage pregnancies by married men and associate it with HIV/AIDS, one solution will lead to the other. At the end of this research study, these are concluding which will lead to recommendation that readers have to take note of. / Dissertation (MA (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / MA / unrestricted

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master Of Education (M.Ed.) in the Department of Comparative and Science Education at the University of Zululand, 2017 / The ever-increasing rate of teenage pregnancy has become a major societal challenge, not only in South Africa, but universally. The same applies in King Cetshwayo district in KwaZulu-Natal. Teenage pregnancy has many causes, some of which are new, like the child support grant. The results of teenage pregnancy are destructive, and long-lasting. This has given the researcher an impetus to conduct this study, and investigate as to: ∙ What the factors are that contribute to teenage pregnancy in King Cetshwayo district secondary schools? ∙ Whether there is a relationship between family background and teenage pregnancy in King Cetshwayo district? ∙ What role can be played by educators in mitigating factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in King Cetshwayo district secondary schools? This investigation was pursued with the aim of attaining practical and relevant solutions to this societal menace of teenage pregnancy. The quantitative method involving the use of questionnaires was used to extract data from 125 learners and 25 educators selected to partake in the study in King Cetshwayo district secondary schools. The findings of the study based on the data collected through questionnaires revealed that: ∙ There are factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy in King Cetshwayo district secondary schools, some of which did not exist before. ∙ There is a relationship between family background and teenage pregnancy in King Cetshwayo district. ∙ Educators can play a crucial role in mitigating factors which contribute to teenage pregnancy in King Cetshwayo district secondary schools. The key recommendations which emanated from this study, amongst others, were: ∙ There is a need for fully- fledged sexuality health education to be undertaken in schools. ∙ Contraceptives must be distributed in schools and learners be advised on their use. ∙ Poverty amongst the communities must be eradicated through women’s skill development and education. ∙ Peer educator programmes in schools must be resuscitated. ∙ Sexuality health campaigns must be organised in schools. ∙ Sports and cultural activities in schools must be encouraged. ∙ In-house codes of conduct to manage learner pregnancy must be developed and implemented. / National Research Foundation (Grant Number:CPT 160 5131 64973 and 105246)

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology) in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Needs Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2016 / The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Sexuality Education as an intervention in preventing teenage pregnancy in the Pinetown district. A focus group of thirty four (35) learners from three different schools was purposefully sampled. Data was collected using structured interview schedules to allow the researcher a platform to ask open-response questions and to understand the learners’ knowledge on preventive measures and the learners’ preferential choices. Data were analysed by carefully identifying and expanding significant themes that emerged from the informants’ knowledge and preferred measures of interventions to prevent teenage pregnancy. The results of the study revealed that learners’ knowledge of preventative measures was limited and an additional challenge was the lack of parental involvement in their children’s sexuality. The participants agreed that sexuality education does provide learners with information that could equip them with knowledge of a healthy sexual behaviour. They maintained that this information could be used when they decided to engage in intimate sexual relationships. However, the knowledge which will ultimately decide their future was quite limited and it was concerning. They seemed to know the contraceptives that were available but the task of accessing them still posed a problem. On the basis of the study results, some valuable recommendations were made which include that the alternatives of accessing contraceptives and the parental involvement in their children’s sexuality may curb teenage pregnancy.

Adolescent motherhood is a reality amongst South African adolescent girls from all cultures. However, there is a scarcity of information available on Swazi adolescents’ experiences of early motherhood. The research consequently aimed at exploring and describing the experiences of early motherhood amongst Swazi adolescent girls. The participants were encouraged to describe their unique lived experiences as to the early period of adolescent motherhood (pregnancy included). Positive psychology provided the theoretical framework, and phenomenology was used as the methodical design for this qualitative study. Purposeful and snowball sampling was used to find the nine participants. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with Swazi girls ranging from the ages of 16 to 20 years. The interviews were conducted in English as a second language of the participants, and they all resided within the Nkomazi municipality in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The collected data were analyzed according to the interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) and five main themes were identified: (a) The influence of emotions; (b) Social support during early adolescent motherhood; (c) Challenges experienced during early motherhood; (d) Personal growth; and (e) Resilience. The research findings indicate that early motherhood amongst Swazi adolescents comprises both positive and negative experiences and results in good and bad emotional experiences. All the participants experienced incidences in which their immediate environment (family, friends, community, neighbours, school, and boyfriends) rejected them and were unsupportive. This was especially evident in the ongoing lack of support offered by the biological father of the baby and the deterioration of original friendships. Ultimately however, it became apparent that the inherent Swazi culture and African principle of “Ubuntu” resulted in their being mostly accepted and supported. Furthermore, most participants experienced personal growth and a sense of maturity. Insights gained from motherhood resulted in participants making more responsible choices with regards to sexual behaviour, changes in their priorities, developing their characters, becoming more ambitious to achieve their personal life goals and becoming future orientated. The personal growth of most participants was clearly indicated by the mastering of several challenges related to early motherhood. A change in lifestyle was the most significant problem to overcome, and other challenges included the “burden” of being a provider, financial constraints in the present and future, interrupted education, loss of leisure time, and the experience of helplessness in times of need, for example when the baby is ill. Despite the fact that adolescent motherhood was experienced as a difficult occurrence, most participants (six of the nine) demonstrated high levels of resilience. These participants demonstrated effective coping strategies by taking responsibility and ownership of the difficulties associated with adolescent motherhood, and expressed the desire to be good mothers. Recommendations are given to enhance the well-being of Swazi adolescent mothers and the findings offer guidelines for a pregnancy prevention program as well as giving ideas on how to support adolescent girls in their journey of motherhood. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Adolescent motherhood is a reality amongst South African adolescent girls from all cultures. However, there is a scarcity of information available on Swazi adolescents’ experiences of early motherhood. The research consequently aimed at exploring and describing the experiences of early motherhood amongst Swazi adolescent girls. The participants were encouraged to describe their unique lived experiences as to the early period of adolescent motherhood (pregnancy included). Positive psychology provided the theoretical framework, and phenomenology was used as the methodical design for this qualitative study. Purposeful and snowball sampling was used to find the nine participants. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with Swazi girls ranging from the ages of 16 to 20 years. The interviews were conducted in English as a second language of the participants, and they all resided within the Nkomazi municipality in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The collected data were analyzed according to the interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) and five main themes were identified: (a) The influence of emotions; (b) Social support during early adolescent motherhood; (c) Challenges experienced during early motherhood; (d) Personal growth; and (e) Resilience. The research findings indicate that early motherhood amongst Swazi adolescents comprises both positive and negative experiences and results in good and bad emotional experiences. All the participants experienced incidences in which their immediate environment (family, friends, community, neighbours, school, and boyfriends) rejected them and were unsupportive. This was especially evident in the ongoing lack of support offered by the biological father of the baby and the deterioration of original friendships. Ultimately however, it became apparent that the inherent Swazi culture and African principle of “Ubuntu” resulted in their being mostly accepted and supported. Furthermore, most participants experienced personal growth and a sense of maturity. Insights gained from motherhood resulted in participants making more responsible choices with regards to sexual behaviour, changes in their priorities, developing their characters, becoming more ambitious to achieve their personal life goals and becoming future orientated. The personal growth of most participants was clearly indicated by the mastering of several challenges related to early motherhood. A change in lifestyle was the most significant problem to overcome, and other challenges included the “burden” of being a provider, financial constraints in the present and future, interrupted education, loss of leisure time, and the experience of helplessness in times of need, for example when the baby is ill. Despite the fact that adolescent motherhood was experienced as a difficult occurrence, most participants (six of the nine) demonstrated high levels of resilience. These participants demonstrated effective coping strategies by taking responsibility and ownership of the difficulties associated with adolescent motherhood, and expressed the desire to be good mothers. Recommendations are given to enhance the well-being of Swazi adolescent mothers and the findings offer guidelines for a pregnancy prevention program as well as giving ideas on how to support adolescent girls in their journey of motherhood. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study aims to examine how the work of NGOs can be beneficial for teenage mothers’ in the Philippines. We wanted to study why they sought support of an NGO and how their lives were impacted after they made contact with an NGO. Teenage pregnancy rates have been rising in the Philippines and mostly affect the young mothers negatively i.e. they often have to quit school and be financially dependent on their parents. They are a stigmatized group and to understand their situation you have to comprehend how the context in the Philippines comes to affect them.  The study was conducted using a qualitative inductive method. By using semi-structured interviews, we have collected our material by interviewing eight young mothers who were in contact with two different organizations.  The result of the study shows that the work of NGOs has a significant influence in improving the young mothers’ lives both mentally and physically. When becoming pregnant they get rejected by their social circle and are left on their own because they are viewed as a disgrace. To analyze our result, we have used stigmatization and empowerment as theoretical framework. The study has shown that the environment is crucial for the outcome of their lives and that the organizations’ play an important role in their lives to empower them to take action and start something new.

IntroduÃÃo: Existe uma grande divergÃncia atual nos estudos que dizem respeito à gravidez na adolescÃncia, situaÃÃo que vem atraindo as atenÃÃes da comunidade cientÃfica e da mÃdia em geral pelo impacto transformador nas vidas dessas mulheres. NÃo hà consenso na literatura mÃdica se as gestaÃÃes precoces trazem prejuÃzos orgÃnicos para a mulher adolescente e seu recÃm-nascido. No entanto, os transtornos de ordem social como abandono dos estudos, do trabalho, falta de oportunidades, desajustes familiares, uniÃes precipitadas e em seguida desfeitas, discriminaÃÃo, ocorrÃncia de nova gravidez; e de ordem psicolÃgica como tristeza, melancolia, depressÃo, abandono ou rejeiÃÃo do filho, psicoses, alÃm da contribuiÃÃo para o aumento da fecundidade e conseqÃentemente da populaÃÃo mundial, parecem ser motivo de preocupaÃÃo da maioria das elites dirigentes dos paÃses desenvolvidos e, principalmente, dos paÃses pobres. A gravidez na adolescÃncia pode ser desastrosa em determinados cenÃrios, e ser um redirecionamento da vida com conseqÃÃncias positivas em outros. Realizamos uma pesquisa abrangendo pacientes que recorreram à Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand para terem seus bebÃs, com a finalidade de aferir as condiÃÃes de saÃde dessa populaÃÃo, comparando grupos divididos pela idade materna. Objetivo geral: Descrever as caracterÃsticas sÃcio-familiares e demogrÃficas de mulheres adolescentes e nÃo adolescentes e seus recÃm-nascidos atendidas na Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand, e verificar a associaÃÃo entre a idade materna e a ocorrÃncia de baixo peso ao nascer. Objetivos especÃficos: 1. Analisar e comparar entre mÃes adolescentes e adultas a ocorrÃncia de: realizaÃÃo de prÃ-natal de qualidade; complicaÃÃes relacionadas à idade ginecolÃgica; tipo de parto. 2. Analisar e comparar nos recÃm-nascidos de mÃes adolescentes e adultas a ocorrÃncia de: baixo peso e peso insuficiente ao nascer; prematuridade. 3. Analisar a ocorrÃncia de baixo peso ao nascer frente à idade materna e outras variÃveis sÃcio-demogrÃficas e de histÃria reprodutiva materna utilizando anÃlise multivariada. Delineamento do estudo: Estudo transversal. Local do estudo: Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand, Universidade Federal do CearÃ. Participantes do estudo: Pacientes adolescentes e nÃo adolescentes entrevistadas apÃs o parto. VariÃveis estudadas: idade materna, escolaridade, fumo, presenÃa do companheiro, desnutriÃÃo materna, idade ginecolÃgica, assistÃncia prÃ-natal, primiparidade, multiparidade, tipo de parto, prematuridade, baixo peso e peso insuficiente ao nascer. Resultados: Foram entrevistadas e tiveram os prontuÃrios pesquisados 553 mulheres que deram à luz na Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand no perÃodo de junho de 2000 a junho de 2001. Essa amostra compÃe-se de 340 pacientes acima de vinte anos e 213 pacientes abaixo de vinte anos de idade. ApÃs anÃlise univariada das variÃveis, percebe-se claramente que a maioria das condiÃÃes geradas pela gravidez sÃo desfavorÃveis Ãs adolescentes. Entre mulheres desse grupo, a ocorrÃncia de desnutriÃÃo à maior, ausÃncia do companheiro (29,6% das adolescentes e 18,9% das adultas; p 0,003), analfabetismo (14,6% das adolescentes e 24% das adultas; p 0,004), realizaÃÃo de assistÃncia prÃ-natal de qualidade (21,1% das adolescentes e 29,9% das adultas; p 0,02), fumo (12,7% das adolescentes e 14,5% das adultas; p 0,54), menarca precoce (em mÃdia 12,5 anos nas adolescentes e 13,1 nas adultas), prematuridade (21,6% das adolescentes e 15,4% das adultas; p 0,06), baixo peso (24,4% das adolescentes e 16,6% das adultas; p 0,02), e peso insuficiente ao nascer (21,6% das adolescentes e 18% das adultas; p 0,30). Foi encontrada uma associaÃÃo estatÃsticamente expressiva entre baixo peso ao nascer e baixa idade materna â OR 1.64 (IC 1.04 - 2.57). Na anÃlise estratificada algumas variÃveis selecionadas â prematuridade, primiparidade, escolaridade, realizaÃÃo de prÃ-natal, presenÃa do companheiro e desnutriÃÃo materna ao inÃcio da gestaÃÃo nÃo atuaram como fator de confundimento frente à essa associaÃÃo. No entanto, na anÃlise multivariada da ocorrÃncia de baixo peso ao nascer, e apÃs a construÃÃo de modelos para a regressÃo logÃstica, os resultados encontrados nÃo permitem que a idade materna isoladamente seja responsabilizada por estas condiÃÃes. ConclusÃes: 1. A realizaÃÃo de assistÃncia prÃ-natal com mÃnima qualidade apresenta-se bastante reduzida na amostra estudada. 2. A idade materna abaixo de vinte anos, neste estudo, funcionou como fator de proteÃÃo frente à ocorrÃncia de parto cirÃrgico. 3. A idade ginecolÃgica inferior a dois anos mostra uma tendÃncia para a ocorrÃncia de peso insuficiente e baixo peso ao nascer, embora em nossa amostra o nÃmero de gestantes adolescentes nesta condiÃÃo seja pequeno, incapaz portanto de expressar valor estatÃstico. 4. Hà uma tendÃncia à associaÃÃo entre a ocorrÃncia de prematuridade e a baixa idade materna. No entanto, a odds ratio nÃo alcanÃou significÃncia estatÃstica para ratificar esta diferenÃa. 5. Existe uma associaÃÃo entre idade materna abaixo de vinte anos e baixo peso ao nascer, quando condiÃÃes desfavorÃveis como desnutriÃÃo materna e analfabetismo materno estÃo presentes. / Introduction: There is a considerable debate in the specialized literature regarding pregnancy during adolescence. This situation is attracting attention of the scientific community and the media due to the impact in the lives of these young women. However, there is no consensus in the literature if earlier pregnancies bring organic prejudice to the adolescent woman or to her newborn. Moreover, problems of social nature such as abandon of study life, work, lack of opportunities, familiar disorders, anticipated (and precipitated) marital arrangements, discrimination, occurrence of new pregnancy; and some of psychological nature such as sadness, melancholy, depression, rejection of the baby, psychosis, besides the contribution to the general fecundity level of the population, seem to be issues to be considered by the majority of the governments in developed and developing countries. Pregnancy during adolescence can be a disaster in some scenarios, but also could be a positive outcome in the life of some families. To understand the health conditions of these families, we proceeded a survey with adolescents attended at Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand, the Maternity associated to the Ceara State Federal University Hospital. General Objective: To describe social, demographic and familiars characteristics of adolescent pregnancy and non-adolescents that delivered their babies in Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand, and verify the association between maternal age and the occurrence of low birthweight infant. Specific Objectives: 1. To analyze and compare, by mother age, the occurrence of good-quality antenatal care; complications related to gynecologic age; type of delivery. 2. To analyze and compare, by groups of newborns of adolescents and non-adolescents, the occurrence of low birthweight and insufficient birthweight; prematurity. 3. To analyze the occurrence of low birthweight by mother age and by other socio-demographic variables and reproductive health issues, using multivariate analysis. Study Design: Transversal study. Setting: Maternidade-Escola Assis Chateaubriand (MEAC), Ceara State Federal University. Population under study: Patients interviewed at the Maternity after delivery, adolescents and non-adolescents. Study Variables: Maternal age, level of education, smoke habits, presence of partner (husband), maternal nutrition / subnutrition level, gynecologic age, antenatal care, number of pregnancies, type of delivery, prematurity, low birthweight and insufficient birthweight. Results: Five hundred and fifty three women (553) that delivered their babies at MEAC during the period of study were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. This sample represents 340 patients over twenty years old and 213 patients under twenty years old. After univariate analysis of variables, it is clearly revealed that the majority of conditions generated by the pregnancy are unfavorable to the adolescents. Among women in this age, the occurrence of subnutrition is higher, the absence of a partner is higher (29.6% in adolescents versus 18.9% in adult women; p=.003); illiteracy (14.6% versus 24%; p=.004); good-quality antenatal care (21.1% versus 29.9%; p=.002); smoking (12.7% versus 14.5%; p=.54); precocious menarche (in average 12.5 years old in adolescent women versus 13.1 years old in adult women); prematurity (21.6% in adolescents versus 15.4% in adults; p=.06); low birthweight (24.4% versus 16.6%; p=.02) and insufficient birthweight (21.6% versus 18%, p=.30). An association statistically significant between low birthweight and low maternal age (OR=1.64 [1.04-2.57]). In stratified analysis of selected variables â prematurity, number of pregnancies, level of education, antenatal care, presence of a partner/husband, level of nutrition of the mother at the beginning of pregnancy â no confounding factors were observed in that association. However, in multivariate analysis of the occurrence of low birthweight and after the design of models for logistic regression, the results did not evidenced that maternal age alone could be responsible for the selected conditions listed above. Conclusions: 1. A good-quality antenatal care is very low in this study. 2. The low maternal age, in this sample, constitute a protection factor front surgical delivery. 3. The gynecological age above two years shows a tendency to insufficient and low birth weight, but the number of adolescents studied in this condition is small, without expression value. 4. There is a tendency to prematurely occurrence in adolescent women. However, the oddis ratio doesnât have significant statistics value. 5. There is an association between low birth weight and low maternal age when desfavorable conditions like maternal desnutricion and anafalbetism are presents

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