Teenagers and teenage pregnancy: A comparative study of two communities

20^th World Nursing Education Conference

May 22- 24, 2017 Osaka, Japan

Oyedele OA

University of South Africa, South Africa

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Teenage pregnancy is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries, including Nigeria. It is reported that an estimated 16 million teenagers aged between 15 years and 19 years give birth every year contributing 11% to all births worldwide. The study explored teenagers perceptions and experiences regarding teenage pregnancy in their communities and to explore their understanding of contraceptives and sexuality and to also identify current teenage pregnancy prevention activities that are in place in the two selected communities. The study was contextual and comparative with an exploratory strategy. The study use mainly qualitative approach and used quantitative strand to investigate current teenage pregnancy prevention programme in the community. Forty teenagers responded to both same structured interview and a singular self-administered questionnaire. Tesch�s approach and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that no concrete teenage pregnancy prevention programme was in existence in the communities. Almost all the participants expressed that teenage pregnancy was not accepted within their communities. Few mentioned poverty as a risk factor in teenage pregnancy. Half of the teenagers had poor knowledge of contraceptives and almost all indicated their disapproval for contraceptive usage among teenagers and only two participants mentioned it as a preventive strategy for teenage pregnancy. More efforts need to be made by the government and all policy makers in the establishment and sustenance of efficient and accessible teenage pregnancy intervention programmes. Also, ground-breaking approaches that will encourage teenagers� involvement in contraceptive and sexuality education are urgently necessary.

Biography :

Oyedele OA completed her PhD at the age of 37 years from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria South Africa and presently a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of South Africa. She is a lecturer in Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. She is the author of a number of scientific articles in several peer-reviewed journals and has participated in several local and international conferences, workshops and symposia. She is a member of Honour Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Tau Lamba-at-Large Chapter, Tshwane University of Technology.