Adolescent pregnancy and parenting: Perceptions of healthcare providers

Abstract

Background Adolescent pregnancy and parenting have attracted much attention as global public health and social concerns. Several studies have reported the prevalence of adverse maternal and child health outcomes due to adolescent pregnancy and it has been highlighted that the care rendered by healthcare providers plays a pivotal role in the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting adolescents. However, a dearth of available literature suggests that the role of healthcare providers as a source of sexual-related and reproductive health information is limited, regarding adolescent women in general. Aim The aim of this study was to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions of adolescent pregnancy and parenting. Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted at a district hospital in the Ugu district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Healthcare providers rendering care to pregnant and parenting adolescents were recruited from the maternity, antenatal, paediatrics, psychology, dietetics, physiotherapy and social work departments, as well as from the HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) programme. The sample comprised 33 healthcare providers who were individually interviewed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The healthcare providers acknowledged that adolescent pregnancy is a problematic issue in Ugu district. Furthermore, they felt that the postpartum sexual-related and reproductive health of adolescent mothers was not given priority. In the healthcare providers’ view, the problems experienced by pregnant and parenting adolescents were school dropout, financial constraints, breakdown of relationships, abandonment, stigmatisation, parenting and child rearing difficulties, and both physical and mental health problems. Some of the participants were of the opinion that healthcare services were not channelled towards pregnant and parenting adolescents Conclusion The findings will contribute to existing literature on adolescent pregnancy as perceptions of adolescent pregnancy and parenting were elicited from a diverse group of healthcare providers. When appropriately disseminated, the findings will assist relevant healthcare providers, administrators in healthcare institutions, policy makers, and officials of the Department of Health and the Department of Education in South Africa to address the lack of appropriate care for pregnant and parenting adolescents. Our findings also highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the care of pregnant and parenting adolescents.

The Association Of Adolescent Pregnancy With Stunting Incidence In Child Under Five Years Old; Literatur Review

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