The effects of teenage pregnancy on the behaviour of. To use the results of the study in designing appropriate interventions for teenage pregnancy with the view of curbing the problem of teenage pregnancy in limpopo. Causes and statistics on teenage pregnancy in south africa. Nuraan davids and yusef waghid abstract postapartheid. Determinants of adolescent pregnancy in subsaharan africa. Teenage pregnancies remain a serious health and social problem in south africa. Whilst teenage pregnancy has been presented as a serious challenge facing education authorities in south africa, the south african demographic and health survey 1998, also indicated that teenage pregnancy was one of the major problems in south africa. The indianasian 14% and white 12% population groups constituted the lowest proportion of adolescents in the country. Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in south africa. It calls for school management teams smts to acquire critical skills to manage teenage pregnancy. This policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy has been developed to guide officials, principals, school management teams and educators who are in effect in loco parentis in their. Teenage pregnancy among high school students in south africas former. Why are teenage pregnancies rising in s outh africa.
South africa is not in the top ten countires with the highest teenage pregnancies worldwide. The last decade or so has seen an introduction of more liberal teenage pregnancy policies in many african countries, including namibia, as a way of encouraging teenage mothers to stay in school. Jan 27, 2018 adolescent pregnancy has been persistently high in subsaharan africa. This response should not only be limited to the government but should extend to civil society, ngos, the academic fraternity, traditional and religious leadership and most importantly adolescents and young people themselves. Why sexuality education in schools needs a major overhaul. The same newspaper article further indicated that there were 5 868 incidents of teenage pregnancy that were reported in 2 320 schools in kwazulunatal. A study of the high rate of teenage pregnancy in high. Teenage pregnancy is a major health problem in many communities in south africa.
Although the number of teenage pregnancies has declined drastically in most developed nations, it remains high in lessdeveloped nations. Moreover, in south africa, as elsewhere, teenage childbearing has increasingly been seen as problematic because of its potential consequences for girls education and for both their and their childrens future welfare jewkes et al. There is now a need to revisit namibias policy on pregnancy amongst learners, to consider clarifications and improvements which could enhance girls. There are many studies regarding teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and family planning among teenagers, but very little is known about what happens after pregnancy, ie, the experience of teenage motherhood. First pregnancy teenage mothers low percentages of teenagers fell pregnant because of money. This work was generously supported by the ford foundations office for southern africa. Teenage pregnancy levels and trend in subsaharan africa. The findings of the research or any other aspect of the. The fight to stop teenage pregnancy brand south africa. The incidence of teenage pregnancy remains high amongst the teenagers in the bushbuckridge district in the limpopo province, south africa, therefore it is important to seek an understanding of teenagers perceptions regarding this issue. It calls for school management teams smts to acquire critical skills to manage teenage pregnancy within the requirements of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 and the south african schools act.
Pdf teenage pregnancy and the south african schools act. A study of the high rate of teenage pregnancy in high schools in the ilembe district. The proportion of teenage girls who are mothers or who are currently pregnant in subsaharan african countries is staggering. Issues of teenage pregnancies are not unique to south africa as similar trends are emerging internationally. However, the existence of progressive policy and law does not by itself ensure that pregnant teenagers and young parents remain in school or experience as little disruption to their studies as possible. The department of basic education briefed the committee on teenage pregnancy in south africa, specifically focusing on school going learners. It calls for school management teams smts to acquire critical skills to manage teenage pregnancy within the requirements of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 and the south african schools. In the dbe commissioned report teenage pregnancy in south africa with a specific focus on school going learners highlight that learner pregnancy rates.
Pregnancy at school policy sun valley primary school. Teenage pregnancy reported in mangaung district is 7%, which is three times more than the provincial target of 2% for teenage pregnancy. To use the results of the study in designing appropriate interventions for teenage pregnancy with the view of curbing the problem of teenage pregnancy. Finally, the level of teenage pregnancy in southern africa was the lowest in 1992, increased in 2005 and was the highest in 2011 with a level at 28. Policy on hiv, stis and tb for learners, educators, school support staff and officials in all primary and secondary schools in basic education sector august 2017 download.
The present study intended to find out from educators if many pregnant teenagers in mankweng area are not attending school as reflected in the above studies. It calls for school management teams smts to acquire critical skills to manage teenage pregnancy within the requirements of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 and the south african schools act 84 of 1996. With the large number of teenage pregnancies in our schools, south african schools have put policies in place to guide teachers and learners on how to deal with and prevent teenage pregnancy. However, these learners face obstacles when trying to successfully. Increases in the rates of teen pregnancy are framed. In kwazulu natal province of south africa, the governing body of a particular school expelled 30 pregnant teenagers etv. This research therefore aimed to explore the reasons behind teenage pregnancy in heidedal, mangaung district, free state province, south africa. Limpopos education department says it is concerning that 27 learners have been confirmed to be pregnant at one secondary school near polokwane. Teen pregnancies are trapping young people in sa skills portal. Teen pregnancy as social problem much of the literature on teenage pregnancy starts with the assumption that teen pregnancy is a serious social problem that warrants. Jump to media player south africa s education ministry is considering policies to introduce longterm contraception to school going teenagers. Teenage pregnancy in south african schools semantic scholar. Adolescent in south africa also engage in mxit, the way of chatting to each other via cell phones.
Jun 14, 2018 the main causes of teenage pregnancy in africa include. Teenage pregnancy rates and associations with other health. The top five countries with the most teenage pregnancies are sierra leone, nigeria, ghana philippines and egypt. In south africa, the south african schools act sasa 84 of 1996 stipulates that pregnant students are allowed to be in school while pregnant and can return after giving birth. The human sciences research councils teenage pregnancy report was released on 28 august 2009, based on a study it had conducted on behalf of the department of education. The effects of teenage pregnancy on the behaviour of learners at secondary schools in the mankweng area, limpopo by malahlela moyagabo kate submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of master of education in the subject inclusive education at the university of south africa supervisor. Teenage pregnancy rates are tracked with concern and there are regular media reports about the issue of teen pregnancy. African schools that could lead to or increase hiv infection.
The differences in incidence of teenage pregnancy among racial and ethnic groups result. Decreases in the rate of teenage pregnancy are often discussed with the emphasis that society must still be vigilant, since any teen pregnancy rate is a cause for concern. It calls for school management teams smts to acquire critical skills to manage teenage pregnancy within the requirements of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 and the south african sc hools. National policy on prevention and management of learner. Children as young as seven years old have their own cell phones. Teenage mothers reproductive rights are safeguarded by policy and legislation such as the south african schools act no. Discrimination in education against pregnant girls and. A number of factors contribute to continued schooling among pregnant and parenting adolescents in south africa. Teenage pregnancy increases when girls are denied the right to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing. In matjitjileng village, pregnancy among young people has reached pandemic heights.
Teenage childbearing and dropout from school in south africa. Pdf teenage pregnancy in south african schools poses a serious management and leadership challenge. Teenage pregnancy in south africa is growing rapidly among school going pupils and it leads to school dropout as the teenage mothers have to leave school to care for their babies. Review of south african research part 2 article pdf available in south african journal of psychology 291. Teenagers in south africa live in a society undergoing rapid technological changes. Child, youth, family and social development, human. Teen pregnancies may have decreased according to statistics, but this trend needs to be eliminated altogether as south africa is losing a host of talented young people to this scourge. The effects of teenage pregnancy on the behaviour of learners. Durban shocking statistics have revealed that more than 3 000 girl children aged between 10 and 14 became mothers in south africa last year. Pregnant girls and young parents in south african schools core. Findings from this study are that teenage fertility in south africa has been declining over time. Danie, teen pregnancies slip through sex syllabus gaps, cape times, 4 oct.
Media release 15 may 2017 south africa demographic and health survey 2016 key indicators report the results of the south africa demographic and health survey, 2016 as presented in the key indicators report released today show that the total fertility rate tfr for the 3 years preceding the survey was 2,6 children per woman. Teenage pregnancy in south africa is growing rapidly among schoolgoing pupils and it leads to school dropout as the teenage mothers have to leave school to care for their babies. Majority of service providers believe poverty is a major factor causing teenage pregnancy while these practices as strategies by the youth to alleviate poverty, they however are further exposed to stis and in particular, hiv and aids. This chapter provides further discussion and insights about assumptions that are relevant to outof school approaches. The problem of teenage pregnancy among school girls is a major concern in many countries. And, almost all of the births 95% happens in low and middleincome countries. The south african government policy explained with the large number of teenage pregnancies in our schools, south african schools have put policies in place to guide teachers and learners on how to deal with and prevent teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy among high school students in south africas. Teenage pregnancy in south africa is mainly a problem among women who live in rural, povertystricken areas, south africas urban female adolescents, however, are also at a high risk of finding themselves pregnant at an early age. The impact of youth falling pregnant in schools will leave an indelible gap when it comes to having skilled and educated youth going out into the. Postapartheid schooling has seen a proliferation in private, and specifically, religiousbased schools.
Girls must be able to make their own decisions about their bodies and futures and have access to appropriate healthcare services and education. The study suggested adequate parental care, eradication of street hawking and inculcation of moral values through religious bodies as ways of reducing teenage pregnancy in nigeria. As you read this article another young girl has fallen pregnant. Teenage mothers add to the number of women who are illiterate. Teenage pregnancy involves both the girl and her male partner and the characteristics of these young men could be a fundamental underlying factor in teenage pregnancy,25 which should not be ignored. In reporting teenage pregnancy rates, the number of pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19 when the pregnancy ends is generally used.
Why are teenage pregnancies rising in south africa. Secondary school teachers experiences related to learner teenage. Teenage pregnancy and parenting at school in contemporary south african contexts. Adolescent pregnancy has been persistently high in subsaharan africa. It is my privilege to present the report of this study teenage pregnancy in south africa, with a speci. Chapter one introduces us to factors that contribute to teenage learner pregnancy and covers the following sections of the study. Here are strategies and tips for helping high school aged girls, teenagers prevent pregnancy. The current study was conducted to assess the awareness of teenagers on the prevention of teenage pregnancy tp in six secondary school learners situated in the soutpansbergwest circuit, makhado municipality in limpopo province.
In kwazulu natal province of south africa, the governing body of a particular school expelled 30 pregnant teenagers etv, 3rd degree, 20h00, 23 october, 2002. Every child has the right to an education and cannot be denied access to schooling if they are pregnant. These schools, while constituted within the south african schools act of 1996, can present a challenging demand, in that the customary religious. Financial needs can also result in teenage pregnancy. South african law forbids excluding pregnant teenagers from school and permits young parents to continue with their schooling. Not only does teenage pregnancy pose a health risk to both mother and child, it also has social consequences, such as continuing the cycle of poverty including early school dropout by the pregnant teenager. May 25, 2016 why sexuality education in schools needs a major overhaul. Little, if any, research has been conducted on learner pregnancy as a. A complete set of stats sa publications is available at stats sa library and the following libraries. The impact of teenage pregnancy on school dropout among. Teenage pregnancy has been cited as a constraint in the elimination of gender.
Teenagers, teenage pregnancy, pregnancy, sex, health. National library of south africa, pretoria division. Sexual and reproductive wellbeing of teenage mothers in a. Teenage pregnancy and parenting at school in contemporary south. Awareness of prevention of teenage pregnancy amongst. Looking for how to prevent teenage pregnancy in south africa. Teenage pregnancy and parenting at school in contemporary. Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in south africa. The impact of teenage pregnancy on school dropout among secondary school girls in embu municipality winnie osulah diploma thesis sociology children and youth publish your bachelors or masters thesis, dissertation, term paper or essay. National library of south africa, cape town division. Teenage pregnancy in south africa is mainly a problem among women who live in rural, povertystricken areas, south africa s urban female adolescents, however, are also at a high risk of finding themselves pregnant at an early age. To examine the trends in teenage pregnancy and to identify associations with other health risk behaviours in south africa sa, a total of 31 816 south african school going adolescents between 11 to 19 years of age were interviewed in three crosssectional surveys. Teenage pregnancy in south african schools poses a serious management and leadership challenge.
Programmes addressing teenage pregnancy school, health and community programmes, success or failure etc. Reducing teenage pregnancies has been a topical focus on the development agenda for decades. Sciences research council on south african fertility trends in 1994 found that 48% of black women, 17% of coloured women, 30% of indian women and 17% of white women gave birth before turning 20 years of age national population unit, in press 2003. Among other things, girls aged 15 to 19 years old accounts for about 11% of all births worldwide. South africa is experiencing an increase in teenage pregnancies. The recorded live births report, which is commissioned by statistics south africa, showed that a total of 3 261 girl children aged between 10 and 14 were registered as mothers in south africa last year. This is in accordance with the promotion of equality and prevention of unfair discrimination act. The role schools and stakeholders play in reducing teen. Experiences of pregnancy and motherhood among teenage. The study analyzes both the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and its determinants.
Background and definition of school dropout the south african schools act act 84 of 1996, section 31 states that all children in south. Worldwide, teenage pregnancy rates range from 143 per 1,000 in some subsaharan african countries to 2. This implies that school principals contribute in denying pregnant teenagers their right to education. These are the findings of research about sexuality education in south african schools.
In south africa sa, more than 30% of teenage girls fall pregnant,1 while between 65% and. South african teachers responses to teenage pregnancy and. Despite the sa governments support for a number of laws. Teenage pregnancy and the south african schools act. Teenage pregnancy among high school students in south. A study of the high rate of teenage pregnancy in high schools. Other studies have explored the effect of household variables on teenage pregnancy in nigeria, kenya, and lesotho showing household size and parents marital status as significant predictors of teenage pregnancy ifeoma, 2008.
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