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Teenage pregnancy refers to pregnancy of a woman of less than 19 years. It is found commonly amongst young people who have been disadvantaged and
have poor expectations with regard to either their education or job market. Adolescents may lack knowledge of access to conventional methods of
preventing pregnancy, as they may be afraid to seek such information. The study purpose was to identify factors contributing to teenage pregnancy
in one village in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province.A quantitative descriptive research approach was chosen. Population consisted of all pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care during June to
August 2007 at one clinic in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. Simple random probability sampling was used to include 100 pregnant
teenagers who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistical
data analysis was used. Ethical considerations were ensured. Findings were classified as demographic data where 24% of the respondents were aged between 15–16 years and 76% were aged between
17–19 years. Findings further revealed that 60% of the respondents started to engage in sex at 13–15 years; 48% of the teenagers’
partners were 21 years and above, 44% depended on a single parents’ income; 20% father’s income, 16% received a social grant and 8%
lived on the pension fund of the grandparents. Pregnancy prevention strategies were recommended based on the results. The strategies focused on reproductive health services, male involvement
and adult-teenager communication programmes.
Problem statement
The Limpopo Province is one of nine provinces of the Republic of South Africa and is situated in the far northern part of the country, its capital
city is Polokwane. The province is divided into five districts namely: Vhembe, Mopani, Capricorn, Waterberg and Sekhukhuni. The study was conducted
in the Capricorn District which is central to the entire districts and it has urban, semi-urban and rural communities.Despite the extensive attention given to adolescent sexuality and teenage pregnancy in the past 30 years, many teenagers were still falling
pregnant (Van Eijk 2007). Teenage pregnancy has become a national epidemic, partly because more and more teenagers who give birth decide to keep
and raise their children. There is a great cost to individuals, families and society when mere children have children of their own. Mwaba (2000)
indicated that teenage pregnancy is more common amongst young people who have been disadvantaged and have poor expectations of either their
education or the job market. The alarming figures released by Morake (2011) for the South African Provincial Education Department indicate that
schoolgirl pregnancies have doubled in the past year, despite a decade of spending on sex education and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and
AIDS awareness. Premature sexual intercourse results in high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV transmission, adolescent pregnancy and
abortions (Mkhwanazi 2006). Unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to an unwanted adolescent pregnancy which is often considered a serious social and public health problem.
Teenagers have a high risk of unintended pregnancy (Mestad et al. 2011). Richter and Mlambo (2005) said teenage pregnancy appears to be
encouraged by lack of access to sex education. Some parents are reluctant to make sex education and contraceptives available to their teenagers,
as they are afraid that their teenagers might interpret this as permission to engage in sexual activities. They further pointed out that teenagers
are reluctant to visit clinics to obtain contraceptives and thus do not make use of available health services. Morake (2011) revealed that
teenagers appear to be ignorant about issues such as puberty, pregnancy and contraception. Ignorance, aggravated by cultural taboos to discuss
sex with one’s parents, combined with real or perceived peer group pressure to engage in sexual activities, cause unnecessary heartache for
many young women. The study by Davies et al. (2006) indicated that the use of contraceptives has increased amongst adolescents in recent
years. Whereas Manlove, Terry, Gitelson, Pappilo and Russel (2000) said that the consistent reliance on effective forms of contraception remains
low. Reasons for inconsistent contraceptive use are not easily characterised as they are diverse and complex (Davies et al. 2006).
Understanding teenage pregnancy involves recognising the complexities surrounding teenagers’ attitudes and knowledge about the use of
contraceptives (Phipps et al. 2008). Knowledge on sexual and reproductive issues amongst teenagers in Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts of
Limpopo Province is low Morake (2011). There is also a lot of misinformation on sexual and reproductive issues that affect teenagers. Most adolescents lack information on sexuality and contraception, as most of the education that is presented on this matter is limited (Arai 2003;
Bankole, Ahmed, Ouedraogo, Neema & Konyani 2007). The study by Kaufman, De Wet and Stadler (2001) indicated that there was a slightly lower
level of knowledge about modern methods of contraception amongst teenagers. The authors further reported that young mothers in Soweto, South Africa,
did not have knowledge of sexuality and information on contraception and contraceptive use. Morake (2011) indicated that in the reports of the
Department of Health of the Limpopo Province, adolescents were reportedly not good contraceptive users, because they might not admit to being
sexually active. Other studies reported that adolescents had inaccurate knowledge on the use of contraceptive (Bankole et al. 2007). It implies that supplying adequate information about sexual behaviours and contraceptives to teenagers should be of paramount importance. Van
Eijk (2007) outlines that even though a large number of teenage girls aged between 15–19 reported knowledge about methods of family planning,
contraceptive use is low. Kaufman, De Wet and Stadler (2001) pointed out that amongst other barriers, clinic staff disapproves of teenagers being
sexually active; ignorance about reproduction; misunderstanding by young people; and false assumptions and ignorance surrounding reproduction.
Teenagers believe that pregnancy cannot result from the initial act of intercourse, but only by repeated sexual encounters. Teenagers are further
surrounded by sexual images and messages, which imply that sexual activity is the norm (Mwaba 2000). High teenage pregnancy rates seem to exist in
the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province and this was also mentioned by Morake (2011) who indicated that statistics reflect that four out of
ten girls fall pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20. Yet some parents, and many public institutions, are at best either
embarrassed about dealing with young people’s sexuality or try to ignore it completely. This leads to the situation where it seems as if
sex is compulsory amongst teenagers without giving due consideration that they should reach maturity age before engaging in sexual intercourse.
It is against this background that the study on factors that contribute to teenage pregnancies was conducted in one village of the Capricorn
District in the Limpopo Province.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy in one village of the Capricorn District in the Limpopo
Province. The following research questions were used to guide the study: • Which factors contribute to teenage pregnancy in one village of Capricorn District in the Limpopo Province?
• Are there any pregnancy prevention strategies available within the community at this village of the Capricorn District in Limpopo Province?
Objectives of the study
The objectives and the specific aims of this study were to:• explore and describe the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo Province and • propose recommendations to strengthen pregnancy prevention strategies that are relevant to the needs of the community of this village in
the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province.
Definition of concepts
Teenager: A teenager is an individual in the transitional stage of development between childhood and full adulthood, representing the period of
time during which a person is biologically adult but emotionally not fully matured (South African Concise Oxford Dictionary 2005). In this study, a
teenager is a female person aged between 13–19 years.Pregnancy: Pregnancy is the state in which a foetus develops in the uterus of a woman of childbearing age, during the period from conception
to birth (South African Concise Oxford Dictionary 2005). In the context of this study, pregnancy refers to a period of gestation when a woman aged between 13–19 years has conceived an unplanned
foetus in her uterus.
Significance of study
It is anticipated that the study would contribute to the prevention of teenage pregnancies. The guidelines could be used in health care facilities
to educate teenagers how to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
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Research method and design
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Design
A quantitative research approach was chosen for this study because it emphasises objectivity and uses systematic procedures to measure human
behaviour by using formal structured instruments when collecting data from respondents (Brink 2006). This approach has been used to provide
hard objective facts about factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy that could be statistically analysed and interpreted. In this study an
attempt was made to obtain information from pregnant teenagers and to identify human behaviour that contributes to teenage pregnancy in one
village in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province.The descriptive design was selected as it is concerned with gathering more information about the phenomenon studied. This research design was
suitable to obtain relevant information and to describe and identify factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy in one village in the Capricorn
District of the Limpopo Province (Brink 2006).
Population and Sampling
The study population consisted of 103 pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care during the last weeks of June, July and August 2007 at one
clinic in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province. Probability, simple random sampling was used to ensure that all subjects had an equal
chance of being included in the study. The fish bowl technique was used to select the subjects randomly. At the clinic, random sampling with
replacement was conducted as follows:• One-hundred-and-three pieces of paper of which 3 were blank and 100 numbered 1 to 100 were placed in a box.
• The 100 respondents who picked numbered papers all voluntarily agreed to participate in the study (Brink 2006).
Sample size
The sample consisted of 100 pregnant teenagers who satisfied the inclusion criteria, their ages ranging between 13–19 years and who picked
a paper with a number during the simple random probability sampling were included in the study.
Data collection methods
Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted of 23 questions that were divided into
three parts namely, demographic data, factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy and sexual behaviour. The statements in the questionnaires were
constructed to obtain objective data from the respondents who had met the inclusion criteria (De Vos, Strydom, Fouché & Delport 2006).
The questionnaire was formulated in English and translated into the local language (SePedi) by the lecturer who facilitates Translation Studies at
the University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, School of Languages. The process was followed by the researchers to ensure authenticity of the data
collection instrument to collect data, which would achieve the objectives of this study and further facilitate understanding during completion of
the questionnaires by the respondents. The researcher hand-delivered the questionnaires to those pregnant teenagers who consented to participate.
Throughout the time when the participants were completing the questionnaires, the researchers were present either to clarify misunderstanding or
to answer any questions (De Vos et al. 2006).
Data analysis
Descriptive statistical analysis was used, which included a frequency distribution table and percentages of respondents according to the selected
characteristics (Brink 2006). The descriptive statistics and frequency distribution table were used and these assisted the researchers in the
arrangement of the lowest to the highest scores linked with the number of times the score occurred. Each score was listed separately which means
that the results were subdivided into classes, collection of scores and percentages of those scores which were grouped together, including
demographic data, factors leading to sexual encounters and factors that contributed to teenage pregnancy (Brink 2006).
Ethical standards were based on the Democratic Nurses Association of South Africa (DENOSA) Ethical Standards for Nurse Researchers (Democratic
Nurses Association of South Africa 1998). The quality of the research was ensured by adhering to the highest possible standards of research through
accountability and the ability to execute the research process.Permission to sample the pregnant teenagers was obtained from the clinic supervisor and Primary Health Care district manager. Each pregnant
teenager was provided with sufficient and understandable information regarding her participation in the study before signing the consent form.
For minors between 13–17 years of age, consent forms were signed by their parents or guardians. Confidentiality and anonymity were ensured
by protecting the participants’ identity, privacy, self worth and dignity by not indicating the subjects’ names on the questionnaires.
Validity was ensured through probability, simple random sampling and ensuring that every member of the population had an equal chance of inclusion
in the study. The researchers guaranteed that the sampling method could be applied repeatedly to the same respondents and would yield the same
results (Brink 2006; De Vos et al. 2006; Babbie & Mouton 2009).
Demographic data
One hundred (n = 100) pregnant teenagers (between 13 and 19) who were attending antenatal care at one clinic in the Capricorn District of the
Limpopo Province participated voluntarily in the study. Twenty-four per cent (24%) of the respondents were aged between 15–16 years, whilst
76% were between the ages of 17years and 19 years. According to the Department of Health (2009) prevalence of contraceptive use is the lowest amongst women in their late twenties through to their
thirties. The study results reflected that 10% of the participants were married whilst 90% of the participants were single during their teenage
years when they became pregnant.
Age of first engagement in sexual intercourse
Sixty-two per cent (62%) of the respondents started engaging in sexual activities between the age of 13 years and 15 years; 54% engaged for the
first time in sexual intercourse between the age of between 16 years 19 years whilst 4% started at the age of 10–12 years. This is supported
by Cooper et al. (2004) who found that amongst teenage girls interviewed in South Africa, 35% were teenagers aged 19 years of which 53% of
the pregnancies had either been unplanned at 36% or unwanted at 17%. In addition Morake (2011) revealed that the age of the first pregnancies
– as a result of the first sexual intercourse – was experienced by teenagers between the age of 13 years and 16 years.
Age of partners
Forty-eight per cent (48%) of the respondents had partners who were 21 years and above; 43% had partners between 19–20 years and 9% had
partners between 16–18 years. The vast majority of teenagers became pregnant by partners who were older than they were. According to
Morake (2011) intergenerational relationship was found to be low amongst teenage mothers. Mwaba (2000) disagreed, indicating that the pressure
by older boys and their refusal to use condoms during sexual intercourse, were the main reasons for teenage pregnancies.
Socio-economic status
Forty-four per cent (44%) of participants depended on their single mother’s income, others worked as domestic workers; 20% depended on a
father’s income and 12% depended on the income of both parents. Sixteen per cent (16%) of participants received a child support grant and 8%
lived from pension fund payments. It was evident from the study findings that most pregnant teenagers depended on a single mother’s income.
Van Eijk (2007) indicated that teenagers from lower income families are more likely to report having sexual intercourse regardless of the family
structure or race. It is further pointed out that teenagers from single parent family homes are more likely to report having sexual intercourse
regardless of the income of the family.
In support of the study findings Van Eijk (2007) indicated that the widespread belief that young women are having children specifically so they
could access a grant is unfounded because the teenagers in this study who were pregnant and were receiving a child support grant were few as
indicated above.
Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy
Several factors are strongly associated with and contribute to the increased risk of an early pregnancy. These factors include: lack of knowledge
about sex and how to use contraceptives; barriers to access contraceptives including negative attitudes of health staff; peer pressure; sexual
coercion; low self-esteem; low educational expectations; poverty; family breakdown; and heightened sex-based messages in the media.Most respondents in this study had knowledge about the use of contraceptives and other ways of preventing unwanted pregnancy apart from total
abstinence from sexual activity. The results revealed that 88% of participants were knowledgeable about the use of contraceptives and 12% not.
Those who were knowledgeable about contraceptives chose not to use them or keep the use of any contraceptives a secret. Other reasons for not
utilising the contraceptives were that teenagers were reluctant to take contraceptive precautions for fear of complications and parental
detection, despite their knowledge about the importance of the use of those contraceptives (Ritcher & Mlambo 2005). The findings by Ritcher
and Mlambo (2005) outlined that teenage pregnancies resulted from lack of knowledge about contraception and many other misconceptions. It was
indicated that injectable contraceptives cause weight gain and watery discharges, whilst contraceptive pills were only taken when they planed
sexual intercourse or only after the engagement because it could prevent them from becoming pregnant when used in that way. In a study by Mwaba
(2000) teenage girls expressed a preference for receiving the injectable contraceptive and stated that condoms were not their birth control
method of choice. Respondents further mentioned that teenage boys did not visit family planning clinics and were reluctant to use condoms as
a form of contraceptive and a method of infection control. The teenage boys refused to use condoms because they commented that sex with a condom
was not enjoyable.
Factors leading to sexual encounter
Drug usage: The study findings pointed out that 96% of the respondents didn’t use drugs, 4% did smoke, and 92% didn’t drink
alcohol whereas 8% drank alcohol. In support of the study findings Van Eijk (2007) indicated that substance abuse was long recognised as one of
the greatest health and social problems in South Africa which resulted in teenage pregnancies because teenagers engaged in sexual intercourse
without making calculated decisions due to the influence of alcohol. Additionally it was outlined that drinking became more common as young
people moved through their teenage years rising to 45% amongst 15 year olds and this was proven to be a cause of teenage pregnancies.
The study results are limited to one village in the Capricorn District and will not be generalised to all villages in the district. It is
suggested that the same study be conducted in other villages in order to determine the factors which contribute to teenage pregnancies amongst
the teenagers who attend the clinics for antenatal care.
The factors driving teenage pregnancy are complex and varied and therefore require multifaceted intervention strategies. There is a wide variety of
strategies aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy including education programmes, family planning services, school-based health centres,
youth-friendly clinics and youth development programmes. The following pregnancy prevention strategies are recommended based on the results of
this study:• Develop more effective preventive measures for teenage pregnancy and have solutions that might prevent unplanned teenage pregnancy. • Pregnancy prevention programmes with guidelines should be available and utilised appropriately in all areas where teenagers are found. • Teenagers should be offered information on how to use contraceptives. Contraceptive use should be promoted through education and service
provision to reduce teenage pregnancy. • Public clinics should all be made ’youth-friendly’ through existing support programmes. These programmes have been proven to
improve the quality of care and expand access to contraceptives, support and counselling. There should be increased access to dual method
contraception at clinics and contraception should be available to all girls and young women who need it. • Increase awareness and knowledge about and availability of emergency hormonal contraception; since this safe, effective and reliable method
of post-coital contraception is paramount to tackle the unplanned pregnancy rates. • Facilitate the establishment of adult-teenage communication programmes with guidelines to give adults information and skills
to communicate effectively with young people about reducing risky behaviour. • Facilitate the establishment of male involvement programmes for prevention efforts that specifically target boys and young
men. Effective programmes for boys include programmes such as community service or other out-of-school activities with a cultural component. Boys
and young men have information needs and anxieties about sex and relationships.
Conclusion
The increase in the number of teenage pregnancies is causing great concern and is becoming a critical issue. This situation requires the urgent
attention of every section of society in order to prevent family life from disintegrating completely.
The researchers would like to acknowledge the clinic supervisor and the district manager for having allowed them to conduct the research in the
clinic.
Competing interests
The authors of this article declare that they had no financial or personal relationship(s) which had inappropriately influenced them in writing
this article.
Authors’ contributions
T.M.M. (University of Limpopo) was responsible for requesting permission to collect data and the scheduling of appointments with the respondents in
order to collect data through structured self-administered questionnaires and handed over the questionnaires to the respondents. Furthermore both
T.M.M and M.S.M. (University of Venda) analysed the data and worked together to compile the report. T.M.M. was responsible to compile the final
report for submission to Curationis.
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