FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Abstract

This study gives a broad yet detailed profile of six pregnant teenage girls. The characteristics, attitudes and behaviour of their families, friends, boyfriend and themselves are examined to understand the process by which they engaged in premarital intercourse resulting in pregnancy. Factors which have been found to be associated with teenage pregnancy are low strength of religious beliefs, irregular or non-usage of contraceptives, freedom from parental supervision, lack of parent-child communication on sex-related topics and influence of their male partners in the context of the relationship. Peer influence is found to be an important factor in some of the cases. Based on these findings, the revision of sex education curriculum, implementation of sex education in primary school and Parent Education Programmes are suggested as preventive measures to combat the problem of teenage pregnancy.