The Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa
What are the risk of Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa?
They face higher health risks than adult mothers aged 20-24, including complications from childbirth contributing to maternal mortality, low baby birthweight, and severe neonatal conditions.
What are the consequences of being a teenage mother?
Adolescent mothers and their offspring are a high risk group broth physically and emotionally. Poverty, malnutrition, complications of pregnancy, emotional problems such as depression, drug and alcohol use, are all risks for the mother. Children are also at greater risk for physical, cognitive and emotional problems.
What are the 10 causes of teenage pregnancy?
Major causes of Teenage Pregnancy
- Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights.
- Inadequate access to services tailored to young people.
- Family, community and social pressure to marry.
- Sexual violence.
- Child, early and forced marriage, which can be both a cause and a consequence.
- Lack of education or school drop-out.
What are the best prevention methods of Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa?
Contraception
Contraception simply means using a method (mechanical or chemical) to prevent pregnancy. There are various contraceptives that work in different ways, but they are all designed to prevent pregnancy. Even if you wish to practice abstinence of delay sex, it’s important to learn as much as you can about contraception – knowledge is power.
Abstinence
This is when a person decides not to have sex until they are married. Although, some think this is old-fashioned, others think it is morally the best thing to do.
Media Campaigns
Community-based programs are only part of the solution to teen pregnancy. Indeed, only 10 percent of teens report they have participated in such a program (outside of school), while on average teens spend more than 38 hours a week exposed to various forms of entertainment media.
