Poverty And Teenage Pregnancy In Wakiso District, A Case Study Of Nabweru Sub-County

ABSTRACT

The study was to conduct an inquiry into poverty and its effects on teenage pregnancy in Nabweru sub- county, Wakiso district northern Uganda. The study was set to establish causes of poverty in families Nabweru sub—county Wakiso District, extent to which poverty leads to teenage pregnancy in Nabweru sub —county Wakiso district and strategies that can reduce poverty and teenage pregnancy in Nabweru sub — county Wakiso district. The study adopted a case study design on both qualitative and quantitative aspects used to evaluate and establish the findings. The researcher collected data using a questionnaire designed to suit the environment of the respondents who were 60 respondents in number. The findings were that house hold poverty in War sub-county, Wakiso district prevails. The findings were that many respondents agree that there are several causes of household poverty in Nabweru sub-county. The findings were that lack of a strong market economy had 16.7% of the respondents; lack of technical and human skills had 18.3% of the respondents, limited income generating opportunities had 21.6% of the respondents, AIDS scourge had 10% of the respondents, cultural traditions and practices had 1 1 .7% of the respondents, land shortages had 15% of the respondents and overpopulation had 13.3% of the respondents. Poverty affects teenage pregnancy in Nabweru sub-county. The findings were that Lack of health materials had 38.3% of the respondents agreed, improper treatment for children had 16.7%, poor medical and psychological venture for children 20%, poor feeding had 15% of the respondents and Poor state of child bringing had 10% of respondents. The findings were that their strategies adopted to combat poverty for maternal health improvement in Nabweru sub-county. The responses were that Health service extension had 2%% of the respondents, establishment of village health teams 20% of the respondents, there has been sensitization on maternal health 26.7% of the respondents, encouraging women hospital birth had 20% of the respondents and the prevalence of antenatal care had 8.3%. The researcher recommend that there is need for the girl child to be given more opportunity for higher levels of education since most women were seen illiterate which created problems in their families. It is vital to impose population control policies so as to ensure that women produce children that they can easily support. There is need to have sensitization programs by qualified medical personnel about balanced diet so as to ensure that women are made aware of the food to feed their children for good health