Effects of Teenage Pregnancy On Academic Performance: A Case Study of Makulubita Sub County Luweero District.

ABSTRACT The incidence of teenage pregnancy has been very high in Uganda. The study therefore was designed to explore the effects of teenage pregnancy on performance in Makulubita Sub County, Luweero district. Questionnaire, in depth interview, focus group discussion and observation were used to collect data for the study with respect to factors that lead to teenage pregnancy. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) and then presented in tables for easy interpretation. It is evident that poor parenting, poverty and peer influence are the major causes of teenage pregnancy. The study also revealed that most of the teenagers that get pregnant their academic performance also decrease. The study therefore recommended that pregnant teenagers should be helped in their psychological development and job skills development

TABLE OFCONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF TABLES viii

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1. Introduction 1

1.2. Historical Background of the Area 3

1.3. Statement of the Problem 4

1.4. Purpose of the Study 4

1.5. Research Questions 4

1.6. Basic Assumptions 5

1.7. Significance of the Study 5

1.8 Research Hypothesis 6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.1. Introduction 7

2.2 Theoretical framework 7

2.3 Related literature 8

2.4 Reasons for teenage pregnancy 9

2.4.1 Knowledge about sexuality 10

2.5. Effects of teenage pregnancy on the academic performance 11

2.5.1. Introduction 11

2.5.2. Absenteeism 12

2.5.3. Poor performance in schoolwork 12

2.5.4. School dropout 13

2.5.5. Discrimination 14

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2.5.6 Educator’s attitude.15

2.5.7 Educators understanding 16

2.5.8 Support form educators 17

2.5.9. Future perspective 18

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 20

3.1 Introduction 20

3.2 Preparation for the research 20

3.2.1 Population 20

3.2.2 Sampling 20

3.3 The Research Instrument 21

3.3.1 The questionnaire as a research instrument 21

3.3.2 Construction of the questionnaire 21

3.3.3 Characteristics of a good questionnaire 22

3.3.4 Advantages and disadvantages of the written questionnaire 22

3.3.5 Validity and reliability of the questionnaire 24

3.4 Pilot Study 26

3.5 Administration of the Questionnaire 26

3.6 Processing of Data 27

3.6.1 Descriptive Statistics 27

3.6.2 Application of the data 27

3.7. Summary 27

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE DATA 28

4.1 Introduction 28

4.2 Descriptive Statistics 28

4.2.1 Gender of respondents 29

4.2.2 Age of respondents 29

4.2.3 Qualifications of respondents (for educators only) 30

4.2.4 Years of service as an educator (educators only) 31

4.2.5 Post level of the respondents 31

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4.2.6 Problems experienced by pregnant girls in school 32

4.2.7. Support to pregnant schoolgirls 37

4.3 Summary 40

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 41

5.1 Introduction 41

5.2. Literature Review 41

5.2.1 Presentation and analysis of research of data 42

5.2.2 Aims of the study 42

5.3 Findings from the Research 43

5.3.1 Findings from the literature review 43

5.3.2 Findings from the empirical study 43

5.4 Recommendations 44

5.4.1 School-based sexuality education 44

5.4.2 Further research 45

5.5 Criticism 46

5.6 Final Remark 46

LIST OF SOURCES 47

APPENDICES 49

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE TO EDUCATORS 49

APPENDIX B. BUDGET ESTIMATE FOR THE RESEARCH STUDY 56

APPENDIX C. RESEARCH TIME FRAME 57