Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Contraceptive Use and Teenage Pregnancy among Child-Headed Households in South Africa

Abstract

Sathiya Susuman A and Kudzai Gwenhamo

Teenage pregnancy is when a young female between 13 and 19 years old carries a child. It is even more worrisome for teenagers who live in child-headed households because they are vulnerable and at risk of becoming pregnant. A qualitative research technique was employed to conduct the research. There were 40 participants between 13 and 19 years old. These participants lived alone. Usually, the eldest teenager had become the household head. A questionnaire was administered to find out reasons for teenage pregnancy in child-headed households. The questions were based on participants’ sexual health behavior, knowledge about and use of contraceptives and drug and alcohol use. A qualitative investigation was adopted. Out of the 40 cases, the researcher found that 31 participants reported to have at least one child. These were lack of parental supervision or role models, unwillingness to approach outsiders for advice and information, misconception of socially constructed ideologies of relationships, fear of losing a source of income, influence of drug and alcohol use, actual intercourse against pornography and masturbation, poverty, peer pressure, sexual abuse, incorrect knowledge and use of contraceptives, low selfesteem, entering into early, unsupervised relationships, and lack of a plan or achievable dreams. Teenagers who live in child-headed households are more vulnerable to becoming pregnant due to external factors such as poverty, lack of parents, and sexual abuse. However, they also have other contributing factors, such as their abuse of drug and alcohol, that make them even more vulnerable and at risk of getting pregnant. However, it can be recommended that a special policy needs to be implemented for child-headed household; concerned officials must visit the village at least once a month; and follow-up care, a secure home, and strong, quality health education must be provided to teenagers who live in child-headed households