Exploring the influence of repeat pregnancy on the lives of teenage mothers

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3042948
AutoresLucinda Okine (0000-0001-9567-2843, Department of Social Work, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana), Mavis Dako-Gyeke (Department of Social Work, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana), P Baiden (0000-0003-3877-2594, The University of Texas at Arlington), Kingsley Saa-Touh Mort (Department of Social Work, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana), Kingsley Saa‐touh Mort (0000-0001-6325-5279)
Año2020
Volumen30
Número7
Páginas863-880
Fecha de publicación2020-10-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1091-1359 • E-ISSN: 1540-3556
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10911359.2020.1763226
OpenAlexW3042655132
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas8
Referencias citadas58

Repeat pregnancy may be more challenging to teenage mothers and their children because of increased socio-economic impact, as well as the influence of generally short pregnancy interval. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, this study explored challenges faced by teenage mothers with repeat pregnancy and support services available to them. Utilizing a qualitative research design, convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to recruit 41 participants, which consisted of 33 teenage mothers and eight health workers from Mamprobi Polyclinic, Accra, Ghana. Individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were utilized to gather data that were analyzed thematically. Findings showed that teenage mothers faced educational, financial, and health challenges. They also experienced psychological issues, particularly stigma. Additionally, teenage mothers did not obtain much support from their spouses and had to fend for themselves or relied on their families, neighbors, and health workers. Furthermore, teenage mothers encountered some barriers (family members rationalizing their problems, being accused of infidelity, and negative attitudes of some health professionals) when they accessed support services. Moreover, many of the teenage mothers were ignorant of available formal support services. The findings suggest the need to promote education on repeat pregnancy, family planning, and available support services

Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Family support · Focus group · Polyclinic · Population · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Snowball sampling · Sociology · Teenage pregnancy · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology