FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INCREASED CASES OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY AMONG TEENAGERS AT NAGURU TEENAGE INFORMATION AND HEALTH CENTRE, NAKAWA, BUGOLOBI-KAMPALA- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Globally, it has been estimated that approximately one million teenagers get pregnant each year. At the same time, about 24% of them become pregnant before the age of 19 in Uganda of which the Kiswa Community is among. The study's objective was to determine the factors contributing to increased cases of teenage pregnancies at Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre.

Methodology

Through a cross-sectional descriptive study design using a quantitative approach and through convenient sampling, a total of 62 teenage mothers were studied and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results

Of 62 teenage pregnant mothers selected the majority 50(80%) of respondents were aged 16-19 years, only 5 below 15 years, with most having attained at least secondary education 43(69%) and only 2(3%) never went to school. Social factors like poverty 23(37%), early sexual contact 57(91%), increased crime rate 2(3%), and the majority 57 (92%) of the respondents did not use family planning before they conceived, health facility factors for example reluctance in family planning use 57(92%). However, alcohol influenced sexual behavior before the pregnancy with 79% being sober before engaging in sex.

Conclusions

Of the 62 teenage mothers who participated in the study, the majority of the mothers were still in school by the time they got pregnant. Low education levels of teenage mothers, early sexual contact, alcohol influence, and low usage of family planning services use had a positive influence on teenage pregnancy among the respondents.

Recommendations

As the researcher, I urge the government through the Ministry of Health to Increase the intensity of information sharing about teenage pregnancy among teenagers especially those living in rural areas/Villages