POLOKWANE – The rate of teenage pregnancy is especially high in South Africa and Limpopo, and a survey done in May 2017 by the Demographic and Health Organisation showed the majority of pregnancies happen between the ages of 10 and 19 years, with teenage pregnancies accounting for 13,9% of all births in South Africa.
These statistics were also reflected in the Live Births Report done by Statistics SA in August 2017.
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The Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, in September last year said teenage pregnancy is a big concern.
To remedy this, she suggested more education is done in schools when it comes to pregnancy, sexual activities and the results thereof.
Motshekga also announced a national policy for the prevention and management of teenage pregnancies in schools.
According to the surveys and studies mentioned, children born to very young mothers are at increased risk of sickness and death. Teenage mothers are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes and are more constrained in their ability to pursue educational opportunities than young women who delay childbearing. About 16% of women aged 15 to 19 years have begun childbearing, 12% have given birth, and another 3% were pregnant with their first child at the time of the survey last year.
For many teenagers, pregnancy is an unplanned and challenging life event and one that can reroute their entire life course. In addition to the implications on education and financial stability, becoming pregnant as a teenager is associated with an increased risk for some potentially serious health problems for both the mother and the baby.
Review spoke to Sanca Director, Amanda Swart, about the issue and she said factors like substance abuse often go hand in hand with teenage pregnancy. “Not only can substance abuse result in an unwanted baby, but there is also the possibility of the baby suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome”.
A study done by the African Health Science Organisation in 2017 on adolescent pregnancy and associated factors in South African youth, showed that teen pregnancy was because of lack of knowledge.
The study showed that factors that lead to teenage pregnancy include the following:
• Low self esteem
• Sence of future
• Control over life
• Peer Pressure
• Education
• Accessability to condoms
• Relationship control
Social worker in the city, Joyce Malose said that the aim is not to deal with teenage pregnancies in Limpopo but the education of learners in schools to help curb pregnancies among teenagers.
