Teenage pregnancy in Nepal : consequences, causes and policy recommendations
Document type: mthesis
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Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Nepal is committed to achieve healthy life including sexual and reproductive health of its adolescents. So, since 1994, it adopted different policies and programs focusing on adolescent reproductive health. Despite of all efforts for addressing issues related to adolescents’ sexuality, Nepal is not yet meeting the adolescents’ need. Additionally, trend of early marriages still exist resulting high adolescent fertility rate. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy (TP) and motherhood in Nepal, its consequences, current policy and program responses in order to improve the adolescent reproductive health program. FINDINGS: Worldwide and in Nepal, TP and motherhood of adolescents’ girl is threat to the mothers and their new born children with serious impact on health, social life and economy. The main factors are intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, structural and public policy. Part of the vulnerability of pregnant teenagers is related to the social determinant that leads to early pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the government and NGOs having policies and programs recognizing adolescents’ issues and trying to solve problems associated with adolescent reproductive health, Nepal is not yet meeting the needs of its adolescents. Therefore, efforts for TP reduction call for addressing these influencing factors collectively through multiple interventions. RECOMMENSATIONS: Retention of girls into school, delivery of effective sexual health education programme for both in and out of school adolescents. Provision of adolescent friendly reproductive health services following WHO framework.
Authors:
Shrestha, A.
Country:
Nepal
Category:
Research
Department:
Development, Policy and Practice
Institute:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Keywords:
health services
,
maternal and child health
,
reproductive health
,
youth
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Organization:
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
PAGE:
xi, 67
Place:
Amsterdam
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2012
Region:
South Asia
Right:
© 2012 Shrestha
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
Teenage pregnancy in Nepal : consequences, causes and policy recommendations
Training:
Master of Public Health