Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa: Causes and Policy Changes

Teenage pregnancy is one of the most famous topics for an essay According to the WHO, teen pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a girl under the age of 20. Pregnancy can occur after the onset of ovulation, which can occur before the first menstrual period (menarche) but is more commonly after the onset of periods. The first period normally occurs around the age of 12 or 13 in well-nourished girls. Exploring the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to teenage pregnancy are crucial topics for an insightful essay on this pressing social issue

Teenage pregnancy is still prevalent in both low and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC). It plays a significant role in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It also has social effects, such as continuing the cycle of poverty, including early school dropout among pregnant adolescent girls, particularly in SubSaharan Africa (SSA). Few research in SSA have looked at the trends in teenage pregnancy and the factors that influence them, despite the fact that this information is crucial for fully understanding teenage pregnancy and promoting reproductive health among adolescents in general in SSA. 

The Main Causes of Teenage Pregnancy in South African Region

Role of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol and medications that reduce inhibition may increase unplanned sexual engagement. If that's the case, it's unclear whether the drugs themselves drive youth to engage in riskier behavior, or whether drug users are more likely to engage in sex. Correlation is not the same as causation. Alcohol, cannabis, 'ecstasy,' and other substituted amphetamines are the drugs with the most evidence tying them to teenage pregnancy. Opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone, have the least evidence to support a link to early pregnancy, despite the fact that one of their well-known effects is a significant reduction in libido, it appears that teen opioid users have significantly lower rates of conception than their non-using, and alcohol, 'ecstasy,' cannabis, and amphetamine using peers.

Lack of Contraception

Adolescents may not be aware of or have access to traditional ways of preventing pregnancy because they are too ashamed or afraid to ask for it.The practitioner faces a major challenge when it comes to contraception for teenagers. The government established a goal of halving the under-18 pregnancy rate by 2010 in 1998. To accomplish this, the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (TPS) was created. Although still on the decline, the pregnancy rate in this category increased somewhat in 2007, to 41.7 per 1,000 women. Young women generally associate contraception with 'the pill' or condoms, and are unaware of other options. Negative, secondhand stories regarding contraception methods from friends and the media have a big influence on them. It is incredibly tough to overcome prejudices. Concerns regarding side effects, such as weight gain and acne, can often influence a person's decision. Missing up to three medications a day isn't uncommon. Month is common, and the figure is likely to be greater in this age range. Restarting after a pill-free week, hiding drugs, drug interactions, and trouble securing repeat prescriptions are all factors that might lead to method failure.

Abuse of a Sexual Nature

According to South African studies, rape is the cause of 11-20% of adolescent pregnancies, and more than 60% of teenage moms had unwanted sexual experiences prior to their pregnancy. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 60% of girls who had sex before the age of 15 were coerced by males who were on average six years their senior. One in every five adolescent fathers admitted to coercing their daughters into having sexual relations with them. Multiple studies in developed countries have found a clear link between early childhood sexual abuse and eventual adolescent pregnancy. Women who gave birth in their adolescence were abused up to 70% of the time, while women who did not give birth in their adolescence were only assaulted 25% of the time.

Childhood Environment

Girls who have been exposed to abuse, marital violence, or family conflict as children are more likely to become pregnant as teenagers, and the likelihood of becoming pregnant as a teenager increases with the number of unfavorable childhood experiences. A 2004 study found that reducing exposure to abuse, violence, and family instability could prevent one-third of adolescent pregnancies. Family dysfunction has long-term and negative health consequences for women during their adolescent, childbearing, and postpartum years,' the researchers write.

When there isn't a supportive familial atmosphere in the absence of unfavorable childhood experiences, becoming pregnant as an adolescent does not appear to increase the risk of long-term psychological repercussions. Boys reared in families with an abusive mother or who directly experienced physical violence were also shown to be considerably more likely to impregnate a girl, according to studies.

Recommendations on the Issue of Having a Related Policy

The Right to Continue Attending School

The policy forbids schools from excluding students because of their pregnancy, among other reasons. This policy specifically acknowledges a pregnant learner's right to attend school during her pregnancy and return as soon as possible after giving birth, as long as it is safe for both the learner and her child.

Certificate of Good Health

Students must produce a medical certificate showing that they are healthy enough to attend school. Students who are over six months pregnant will be asked to produce a medical certificate showing the condition of their pregnancy and an approximate delivery date to ease the use of these privileges. In addition, if the pregnant student desires to stay in school after eight months, she will be required to present medical reports to her designated educator or school principal certifying that it is safe for her to continue her education. If a student fails to present the certificate, they may be requested to take a leave of absence until they do so. The student presented her with medical information.

Making a Police Report

If a pregnant girl is under the age of 16 and the child's father is older than 16, the policy stipulates that schools must report to the South African Police Service (Sars) for civil and criminal actions. It further states that when a student becomes pregnant, 'attention' must be paid to the father, and that civil and criminal proceedings against educators or others must be pursued.If the biological father is a learner, he should be counseled and guided to assume and maintain his rights and duties after confirmation of his identity.

If he is, however, a teacher or other member of staff in the basic education system, he shall be suspended and subjected to the disciplinary and legal procedures outlined in the law. The South African Council for Educators Act, 2000 and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998. If the biological father is not a student in a basic education program, he should be investigated and prosecuted if there is a case to answer for coercion, sexual violence and assault, or statutory rape.

Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same pregnancy-related challenges as other women. There are additional concerns for those under the age of 15, as they are less likely to be physically developed enough to sustain a successful pregnancy or deliver birth. The biological influences of age are less important than socioeconomic variables for girls aged 15-19. Even when other risk variables like access to prenatal care are taken into consideration, low birth weight, early labor, anemia, and pre-eclampsia are associated to biological age, as they are seen in adolescent deliveries. Pregnancies among teenagers are linked to a number of sociocultural problems, including poverty and a lack of education.

Teen pregnancy outside of marriage is common in affluent countries, and it is generally associated with cultural stigma. Teen pregnancy within marriage is prevalent in developing nations, with half of all pregnancies being unintended. However, when combined with famine and poor health care, early pregnancy can bring medical problems in these countries. Educational interventions and birth control availability, when used together, can assist to reduce unplanned adolescent pregnancies. In 2015, approximately 47 females per 1,000 had children under the age of 20. Africa has the highest rates, whereas Asia has the lowest. In underdeveloped countries, around 2.5 million females under the age of 16 and 16 million females aged 15 to 19 have children each year. Another 3.9 million people are subjected to abortions.

Conclusion

Teenage pregnancy continues to rise among those who are sexually active, despite the fact that adolescent sexual activity is declining. Teenage pregnancy is a major public health concern, and the health-care system in South Africa must acknowledge adolescent sexual and reproductive health behaviors, such as contraception and safe sex practices, as a serious health issue. Substance addiction prevention should be included in intervention programs aiming at lowering teenage pregnancy and sexual and reproductive behaviors among teenagers.

References

• Alice Sterling Honig International Journal of Adolescence and Youth 17 (4), 181-187, 2012.
• Ann E Biddlecom, Susheela Singh, Alister Munthali African journal of reproductive health 11(3), 99-110, 2007.
• CA Chukwuone, KM Onuoha, CA Ajogwu Jjournal of Home Economics research, 185, 2021.
• Florence A Undiyaundeye, Ann A Agba, Terwase Mandeun
• Int J Multidiscipl Thought 5 (4), 283-289, 2015.
• Kim Jonas, Rik Crutzen, Bart van den Borne, Ronel Sewpaul, Priscilla Reddy Reproductive health 13 (1), 1-14, 2016.
• Lee SmithBattleYouth & Society 38 (3), 348-371, 2007.
• Mohammad Ali Kiani, Masumeh Ghazanfarpour, Masumeh Saeidi International Journal of Pediatrics 7 (7), 9749-9752, 2019.