Abstract:

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate evidence that adolescents, particularly girls, experience financial challenges. And such financial limitations are predictors for adolescent pregnancy. Through a case-control study design, research was conducted in Luuka district, Uganda, to examine predictors of adolescent pregnancy. Mixed methods were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. This article is written from the qualitative data collected through key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with health practitioners, parents, community leaders, and adolescents. Findings show that due to financial limitations in the community and in their families, adolescent girls are affected at a personal level. Consequently, as a means to find a solution to their financial needs, some take on petty trade, others transactional sex as personal survival strategies. These adopted strategies instead expose them to greater vulnerability, making the financial circumstances a predictor for adolescent pregnancies.

Keywords: Adolescent Pregnancy, Luuka District, Livelihood challenges, Predictors of adolescent pregnancy, Sugarcane.

References:

[1] WHO Adolescent pregnacy: fact sheet. 2014. 4.

[2] WHO, Adolescent pregnancy: issues in adolescent health and development. 2004. p. 92.

[3] Avery, L. and G. Lazdane, What do we know about sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Europe? The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 2010. 15(S2): p. S54-S66.

[4] WHO, Adolescent pregnancy. Key facts. 2020.

[5] WHO Coming of age: Adolescent health. 2020.

[6] Loaiza, E. and M. Liang, Adolescent pregnancy: a review of the evidence. 2013, UNFPA: New York. p. 60.

[7] Shirin, F., et al., Adolescent pregnancy: risk factors, outcome and prevention. Chattagram Maa-O-Oshishu Hospital Medical College Journal, 2016. 15(1): p. 5.

[8] Manzi, F., et al., factors associated with teenage pregnancy and its effects in Kibuku Town council, Kibuku District, Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Primary Health Care: Open Access, 2018. 8(2): p. 6.

[9] Habitu, Y.A., A. Yalew, and T.A. Bisetegn, Prevaence, and factors associated with teenage pregnancy, Northeast Ethiopia,2017: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Pregnancy, 2018: p. 8.

[10] Darroch, J.E., et al., Adding it up: Costs and benefits of investing in the contraceptive needs of adolescents. 2016, Guttmacher institute.

[11] Gunawardena, N., A.W. Fantaye, and S. Yaya, Predictors of Pregnancy among young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. BMJ Global Health, 2019. 4(e001499): p. 8.

[12] Kirchengast, S., Teenage pregnancy: a worldwide social and medical problem, in An analysis of contemporary social welfare issues, R. Laratta, Editor. 2016, IntechOpen.

[13] Ninsiima, A., et al., Poverty, gender and reproductive justice. A qualitative study among adolescent girls in Western Uganda. Culture, Health, and Sexuality: an International Journal for Research, Intervention, and Care, 2020: p. 17.

[14] UNFPA, Girlhood, not motherhood: preventing adolescent pregnancy, R.W. Blum and W.H. Gates, Editors. 2015, UNFPA: New York. p. 62.

[15] WHO, Adolescents: health risks and solutions, in Key Facts. 2018.

[16] Yakubu, I. and W.J. Salisu, Determinants of adolescent pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BioMed Central Reproductive Health, 2018. 15(15): p. 11.

[17] Nabugoomu, J., G.K. Seruwagi, and R. Hanning, What can be done to reduce the prevalence of teen pregnancy in rural Eastern Uganda?: multi-stakeholder perceptions. Reproductive Health, 2020. 17(1): p. 134.

[18] Astuti, A.W., J. Hirst, and K.K. Bharj, Adolescent fathers’ experiences in Indonesia: a qualitative study. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 2021. 26(1): p. 11.

[19] Wall-Wieler, E., L.L. Roos, and N.C. Nickel, Teenage pregnancy: the impact of maternal adolescent childbearing and older sister’s teenage pregnancy on q younger sister. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2016. 16(120): p. 12.

[20] Bhattacherjee, A., Social science research: principles, methods, and practices, in USF Tampa Bay Open Access textbooks collection 3. 2012. p. 159.

[21] Huberman, A.M. and M.B. Miles, Data Management and Analysis Methods, in Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials, N.K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln, Editors. 1998, SAGE: United Kingdom. p. 179 - 209.

[22] Punch, K.F., Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. 1998, London: SAGE Publications. 319.

[23] Creswell, J.W., Choosing a mixed-methods design. 2006. p. 32.

[24] Yu, X. and D. Khazanchi, Using embedded mixed methods in studying IS phenomena: risks and practical remedies with an illustration. Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications, 2017(70): p. 42.

[25] Vasileiou, K., et al., Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15 year period. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 2018. 18(148): p. 18.

[26] Braun, V. and V. Clarke, Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2006. 3(2): p. 77-101.

[27] Dey, I., Qualitative data analysis: a user-friendly guide for social scientists. 2005, Tailor and Francis Routledge: London. p. 309.

[28] Tsabedze, B.P., Risk factors for teenage pregnancy and youth health needs in Nkalashane, Swaziland. Texila International Journal of Public Health, 2016. 4(4): p. 17.

[29] Mkwananzi, S., The role of family dynamics in teenage pregnancy and childbearing in sub-Saharan Africa, in Family demography and post-2015 development agenda in Africa, C. Odimegwu, Editor. 2020, Springer: Cham. p. 355-377.

[30] Henrich, C.C., K.A. Brookmeyer, and G. Shahar, Weapon violence in adolescence: parent and school connectedness as protective factors. Journal of Adolesent Health, 2005. 37(4): p. 306-312.

[31] Hirschi, T. Key idea: Hirschi’s social bond/social control theory. 1969. 55 - 69.

[32] Costello, B.J. and J.H. Laub, Social control theory: the legacy of Travis Hirschi’s causes of deliquency. Annual Review of Criminology, 2020. 3: p. 21-42.

[33] Madon, N., Social control theories, in Review of the roors of youth violence: Literature reviews. 2016, Queen’s Printer for Ontario. p. 12.