Title:
Factors Influencing Adolescent Pregnancy in South Africa : a Literature Review
Authors:
Tolboom, Bianca
Year:
2015
PAGE:
ix, 55
Language:
En
Subject:
Maternal Health – Lessons Learned
Keywords:
“Adolescent pregnancy”, “Teenage pregnancy”, “South Africa”, “Determinants”, “Interventions”
Abstract:
Out of 10 million adolescents in South Africa, 39% have been pregnant between the ages 15-19 years, and 1.1% gave birth before their 15th birthday. Health and social consequences of adolescent pregnancy are dire, whilst many adolescents face barriers to access safe abortion services, in spite of legalized abortion. Literature review revealed that the risk of pregnancy occurs at, and links with all levels of the ecological model. In South Africa’s diverse, often poor socio-economic settings, pregnancy is linked with unsafe risky sexual behavior, influenced by the circumstances under which sex occurs, in which adolescents’ knowledge, agency and ability to negotiate sex and condom use is often compromised. This includes transactional sex, age disparate relationships, inequitable gender norms and Sexual and Gender Based Violence, especially in communities where dependency and the subordinate position of girls are distinct, and access to services and information is poor. Notwithstanding South Africa’s progressive laws and policies addressing adolescent pregnancy, implementation of most programs is not up to standard. Evidence of the effectiveness of existing approaches addressing adolescent pregnancy is not always conclusive, yet show potential to have a positive impact, if combined, monitored well, and adapted to the needs of adolescents in their respective communities. This entails a scale up of youth friendly, sexual reproductive health and safe abortion services, Comprehensive Sexuality Education programs, and programs engaging communities, men and boys, focusing on gender norms, training service providers, and making facilities more adolescent friendly. Patterns of adolescent pregnancy and promising approaches require further research.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development Policy and Practice
Country:
South Africa
Region:
South Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2015 Tolboom
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
y4RFNvLpkD_20161108163415936.pdf