Perceptions of Adolescent Pregnancy Among Teenage Girls in Rakai, Uganda

Bibliographic Data

ID15736823
AuthorsChristina Maly (0000-0002-2486-5995, Johns Hopkins University, corresponding author), Katherine A McClendon (0000-0002-4044-3741, University of California, Los Angeles), Joy Noel Baumgartner (0000-0002-1783-8972, Duke University), Neema Nakyanjo (0000-0002-1908-7957, Rakai Health Sciences Program), William G Ddaaki (0000-0002-2395-7003, Rakai Health Sciences Program), David Serwadda (0000-0001-6532-6587, Makerere University), Fred Nalugoda (0000-0001-6119-9293, Rakai Health Sciences Program), Fred Kakaire Nalugoda (Rakai Health Sciences Program), Maria J Wawer (0000-0002-3601-4469, Johns Hopkins University), Erika Bonnevie (0000-0001-8068-5123, University of California San Diego), Jennifer A Wagman (0000-0002-9957-1932, University of California San Diego)
Year2017
Volume4
Pages2333393617720555-2333393617720555
Publication date2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Qualitative Nursing Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2333-3936 • E-ISSN: 2333-3936
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/2333393617720555
PMID28835911
OpenAlexW2742476795
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited34

The leading causes of death and disability among Ugandan female adolescents aged 15 to 19 years are pregnancy complications, unsafe abortions, and childbirth. Despite these statistics, our understanding of how girls perceive adolescent pregnancy is limited. This qualitative study explored the social and contextual factors shaping the perceptions of adolescent pregnancy and childbirth among a sample of 12 currently pregnant and 14 never pregnant girls living in the rural Rakai District of Uganda. Interviews were conducted to elicit perceived risk factors for pregnancy, associated community attitudes, and personal opinions on adolescent pregnancy. Findings indicate that notions of adolescent pregnancy are primarily influenced by perceptions of control over getting pregnant and readiness for childbearing. Premarital pregnancy was perceived as negative whereas postmarital pregnancy was regarded as positive. Greater understanding of the individual and contextual factors influencing perceptions can aid in development of salient, culturally appropriate policies and programs to mitigate unintended adolescent pregnancies

Childbirth · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Family planning · Perception · Population · Pregnancy · Research methodology · Unintended pregnancy · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology