The Perception Of Teenagers Regarding Teenage Pregnancy In The Rehoboth District

ABSTRACT

Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide problem. Some of the consequences associated with teenage pregnancy are restriction in educational opportunities, reduced quality of life, exposure to sexually transmitted infections, social discrimination, and complicated labor and abortions. Regardless of the universal effort made by governmental and non-governmental agencies to prevent teenage pregnancies, teenagers still get pregnant. In Namibia the overall teenage pregnancy rate is 15% while in some regions this rate can be as high as 30% (Ministry of Health and Social Services & Macro International, 2008, p.50). In Rehoboth District, more than half of primigravida who gave birth in a period of six months were teenagers (Ministry of Health and Social Services, 2008). It is however unclear how teenagers perceive teenage pregnancy and what factors influence this perception. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of teenagers regarding teenage pregnancy in the Rehoboth District. The objectives for this study were to explore and describe the perceptions of teenagers regarding teenage pregnancy and to identify factors influencing the teenagers’ perceptions regarding teenage pregnancy in the Rehoboth District.