Experiences of teenage mothers in the informal settlements : an analysis of young females' reproductive health challenges, a case study of Siyanda informal settlement.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
The reported percentage of births attributable to school going learners has
highlighted the concern for adolescents engaging in early and unsafe sexual
practices. A review of literature suggests that early sexual initiation and the
likelihood of experiencing teenage pregnancy can impede on adolescents'
ability to acquire skills, attain high levels of education, and access
socioeconomic opportunities. Relatively less attention has been paid to the
reproductive patterns and sexual behaviour of adolescents within informal
settlements. This research, conducted in Siyanda informal settlement on the
outskirts of KwaMashu Township, is designed to explore the sexual patterns
and reproductive behaviour of the adolescents there. The study examines
differences in sexual behaviour and childbearing experiences among teen
mothers, currently pregnant teens; and those that have never experienced
pregnancy.
The findings suggest that the majority of adolescents residing in informal
settlements experiment with and engage in sexual intercourse at ages much
earlier than 19. Most teenagers experienced their first sexual intercourse by
the second year of high school education. Teen mothers reported higher
incidence of multiple sexual partners. Across all adolescents interviewed,
the preferred sexual partners were much older males because of level of
maturity, financial status; and the ability to negotiate use of contraceptives.
Part of the cause of high incidents of teenage pregnancy within this
environment was the lack of consistent usage of contraceptives. Many
adolescents perceived usage of contraceptives to be impractical prior to
conception of first birth.
The experience of childbearing was found to have detrimental implications
on these young females‟ educational attainment. Many of these adolescent
failed to resume school to complete their education due to the lack of
emotional and financial support from their partners and family members.
Many adolescents highlighted their discontent with the lack of youth
integration with the lack of youth
integration in community based programmes. Furthermore, communication
barriers in nearby health facilities as well as transport restricted their
accessibility to obtain counselling with regards to their sexual activities and
reproductive patterns. Thus, it is recommended that service delivery should
be improved, including providing more health facilities especially the range
of methods through which health officials such as nurses, social workers
and counsellors which can be made easily accessible to these adolescents on a regular basis.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
Keywords
Teenage mothers--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Squatter settlements--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Reproductive health--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Theses--Population studies.