Teenage pregnancy among school-going children during the covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy among school-going children remains a critical problem to consider, it affects both developed and developing countries around the globe. Teenage pregnancy cases increased globally due to COVID-19 that ushered in many problems such as the closure of schools and businesses among others. In Uganda as with many other countries around the world, Covid-19 resulted into teenage pregnancy cases to spike by 17% between March 2020 and June 2021. A total of 354,736 teenage pregnancies were registered in 2020, and 196,499 in the first six months of 2021. Locally over 1800 girls became pregnant in Kakumiro District. The mixed methods cross-sectional study recruited 55 respondents who included school-going adolescents, head teachers and senior teachers, local leaders, parents, school-going children and district leaders from Kakumiro District. Data was collected using an interview schedule, interview guide and structured questionnaire. Data in quantitative form was analyzed using SPSS and qualitative results were analyzed thematically and presented in a narrative form. The research established an escalation in teenage pregnancy cases in the district, confirming that over 1800 girls fell pregnant in Kakumiro District. This was attached to school closure in response to COVID-19 which rendered teenagers redundant, propelling them to engage in sexual and other risky behaviors. Moreover, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and products remain unpopular among some parents and adolescents. The study recommends additional and targeted investment in sensitization programs to increase awareness of SRH services for youth and parents. Vocational institutions should also be set up or activated to equip teenage mothers with marketable skills which can help them live self-reliant lives. Finally, youth-friendly SRH services should be popularized and made more accessible including contraceptives and other birth control methods.