Socio-economic Factors Associated with Teenage Pregnancy in the Mandela Park Community of Mthatha, South Africa

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a huge social problem in developing countries. Eastern Cape is one of the provinces in South Africa with a high rate of teenage pregnancy. The study that directed this article investigated the socio-economic factors associated with teenage pregnancy in the Mandela Park community of Mthatha, South Africa. Using snowball sampling and purposive sampling, a cross-sectional study was conducted using 15 females within the age group of 18–35 years residing in Mandela Park (Mthatha). A qualitative study was conducted through face-to-face, in-depth structured interviews. The target population comprised individuals who had become pregnant when they were still teenagers. Results of the study show that there is overwhelming disapproval of teenage pregnancy in the Mandela Park community. Results of this study also show that teenage pregnancy is still a problematic issue that needs to be addressed with immediate and appropriate intervention. The rising number of teenage pregnancies in the Mandela Park community of Mthatha was explored as possibly being a result of low socio-economic status and lack of sex education. The study, therefore, recommended that the government should allow children of any age to access contraceptives without parental consent. Furthermore, there is a need for regular safe-sex education in communities and schools, starting from the primary level.