Parent’s knowledge, attitude and practices towards teenage pregnancy

Abstract

Back ground: Teenage pregnancies remain the most serious global health and social challenge today. Parents' knowledge, attitudes and practices about teenage pregnancy remains critical in the fight against the situation. This is because parents have a very important influence on whether their teenagers become pregnant or not. They are powerful and they can use their power in directing their children (Breuner & Mattson, 2016). This study aimed at assessing the KAPs of parents in Kawempe division, Kampala district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study employing both qualitative and quantitative methods was applied. 51 respondents participated in the study, 4 key informants were interviewed to get their views about teenage pregnancies in regard to parental knowledge, attitudes and practices. The major methods of data collection used included researcher-administered questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Results: All the parents/respondents were informed about teenage pregnancy. Parents 49% had moderate knowledge about teenage pregnancy in regard to its causes, consequences and prevention. A greater percentage expressed negative attitudes towards teenage pregnancy. 56.8% reported that they would be disappointed and only 5.8% of the parents reported that they would chase their daughters after pregnancy. All parents were informed about teenage pregnancy prevention measures but only 15.6% did not discuss them with their daughters. 66.6% of the parents reported that one of the practices they did was to provide adequate financial support to their children so as to prevent them from dating older men. Also 15.6% of the parents informed their daughters about family methods to prevent them from pregnancies while 78.4% discussed with their daughters about sex at home (sex education). Conclusion: A proportion of parents 49% had moderate knowledge about teenage pregnancies. This study highlighted that parents should adopt a culture of discussion issues concerning sex with their daughters so as to keep them informed about the consequences of premarital sex and prevent them from early pregnancies.