Addressing the Complexities of Teenage Pregnancy: Insights from a Study in Lira District, Uganda

Otukei Godfrey Francis

Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Surgery Kampala International University Western Campus, Ishaka, Bushenyi, East Africa

ABSTRACT

Teenage pregnancy persists as a global public health challenge with profound implications for maternal and child well-being, particularly in low-resource settings. This study investigates the prevalence, determinants, and implications of teenage pregnancies in Lira District, Uganda. Employing a cross-sectional quantitative approach, data was collected from 106 pregnant mothers aged 12-19 attending antenatal care services. Findings reveal that a majority of respondents fall within the 12-19 age range, with significant proportions having attained only primary education and being married. Factors contributing to early pregnancies include peer pressure and financial constraints. Moreover, respondents express awareness of risks such as vaginal tears and maternal mortality during delivery. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions addressing socio-economic disparities, enhancing access to education and healthcare, and promoting reproductive health education. By elucidating the complexities surrounding teenage pregnancies in a resource-constrained context, this study contributes valuable insights to inform targeted strategies aimed at reducing the burden of teenage pregnancies and improving the health outcomes of adolescent mothers and their offspring.

Keywords: Prevalence, Teenage Pregnancy, Mothers, Antenatal Care, Regional Hospital

CITE AS: Otukei Godfrey Francis (2024). Addressing the Complexities of Teenage Pregnancy: Insights from a Study in Lira District, Uganda. IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY 9(1):70-78. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBCP/24/91.7078