The Socio-Economic Effects of Teenage Pregnancies and Academic Performance of Learners in Selected Schools of Kalangala District

ABSTRACT 

This study sought to examine the effect of teenage pregnancy on socio-economic aspects of girls in the selected schools of Kalangala district specially to identify the causes of teenage pregnancy among the girls, the socio-economic consequences of teenage pregnancies, and investigated the measures that would be taken to curb this problem. The respondents used in the study were local leaders, teachers, parents who filled a semi-structured questionnaire containing items which had been formulated from the objectives. Findings showed that in Kalangala district, it was established that young gir~s are becoming pregnant mostly because peer pressure and bad company. It was also discovered that due to economic hardships some girls go out with men to get some of their requirements and end up becoming pregnant. Those parents did not care much about what their daughters did with their friends. More factors that were hinted on by the respondents include the negative media influence and pinpointed films. It was established that teenagers lacked relevant education about sex and how to handle sexuality. Recommendations were also made. Public debates on sexuality and teenage pregnancy must be in4tiated. These can teach the youth in a very dynamic and interactive way, so that they learn about the dangers of the out of school participants become part of their learning process. Youth they must be encouraged to participate. The teenage mothers should be encouraged to go back to school after giving birth to continue with their education. This will only work if a policy is formulated to safeguard the young mothers in school from social ostrarchy and isolation. Due to ignorance, some teachers and learners have socially stigmatized such girls who chose to rejoin school and as a result they have had to terminate their studies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF TABLES ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTERONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Background to the study 1

1.1 Statement of the problem 2

1.2 Objectives 2

1.3 Specific objectives 3

1.4 Scope 3

1.5 Research questions 3

1.6 Significance of the study 4

1.7 Definition of Terms 4

1.8 Limitations 4

CHAPTER TWO 5

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction 5

2.1 Meaning of teenage pregnancy 5

2.1.lTrends of teenage pregnancy 6

2.2 Causes of early pregnancies 7

2.2.1 Changes in sex behavior 7

2.2.2 Misinformation about sex 8

2.2.3 Lack of contraceptives 8

2.2.4 Sexual abuse 9

2.2.5 Biological changes 9

2.2.6 Parental influences 10

2.2.7 Peer influence 10

2.2.8 Academic influences 10

2.3 Socio-economic factors on teenage 11

2.3.1 Childhood environment 11

2.4 Effects of teenage pregnancy 11

2.4.1 Medical outcomes of early pregnancy 12

2.4.2 Impact on the child 13

2.5 Ways of controlling teenage pregnancies 13

CHAPTER THREE ~15

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 15

3.0 Introduction 15

3.1 Research design 15

3.2 Research area and population 15

3.3 Sample framework 15

3.3.1 Sample size 15

3.3.2 Sampling techniques 15

3.3.3 Sample procedure 16

3.4 Methods of data collection 16

3.4.1 Instrumentation 16

3.4.2 Sources of data 16

3.5 Data processing 17

3.6 Data analysis 17

3.7 Ethical considerations 17

CHAPTER FOUR .18

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 18

4.0 Introduction 18

4.1 Questionnaire run rate 18

4.2 Background information of respondent which has a bearing on teenage pregnancy 18

4.2.1 Marital status of parents who are pregnant 18

4.2.2 Educational status of parents of pregnant teenagers 20

4.3 Causes of early pregnancies among girls 21

4.4 Effects of teenage pregnancy on the society 22

4.4.1 Psychosocial consequences of teenage pregnancies on the family and society 22

4.4.2 Pregnant teenagers living with their partners or who have plans to marry them 23

4.4.3 Why young mothers are not living with their partners 24

4.4.4 Psychosocial consequences of teenage pregnancy to the parents 25

4.4.5 Economic consequEnces of teenage pregnancy 26

4.4.6 Health challenges caused by teen pregnancy 27

4.5 Ways of controlling teen pregnancy 28

CHAPTER FIVE 30

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMMENDATIONS 30

5.1 Summary of findings 30

5.1.1 Causes of teen pregnancy 30

5.1.2 Socio-economic problems of teenage pregnancy 31

5.1.3 Controlling of teenage pregnancy in schools of Kalangala 32

5.2 Conclusion 32

5.3 Recommendations of the study 32

REFERENCES 34

APPENDICES 36

APPENDIX A: An interview schedule for Local leaders, the chief, assistant chief, youth leaders and women affairs~36

Appendix B: An interview schedule for pregnant mothers/teenage 39

Appendix C: An interview schedule for parents 40

Appendix D:Budget for research proposal valid in Uganda shillings 43

Appendix E:Time schedule 44