The dynamics of teenage pregnancy in Uganda : a study of Walukuba West Division, Jinja District in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The study was conducted in Walukuba West, located in Jinja District, east of Uganda. The decision for this study site was premised on the increased prevalence of teen pregnancies within the area. The study sought to investigate the dynamics of teenage pregnancy in Walukuba West, Jinja District in eastern Uganda. The specific objective was to assess the social factors causing teenage pregnancy in Walukuba West, Jinja District in eastern Uganda; examine the cultural factors underpinning teenage pregnancy in Walukuba West, Jinja District in eastern Uganda and investigate the economic factors causing teenage pregnancy in Walukuba West, Jinja District in eastern Uganda. This research approach is a qualitative study in the social sciences. The researcher has selected the interpretive paradigm because this paradigm aims to understand people’s social action. A Cross Sectional and Descriptive research design was used for this study. Most of the respondents argued that besides poverty another contributing factor is ignorance and carelessness. Teenagers tend to be careless about their future not knowing that success depends solely on their behavior. Schools are also not properly implementing government policies to discourage teenagers from getting pregnant. The findings strongly indicate that socio-economic factors, cultural, parental involvement, peer pressure, ignorance and personal factors all play a major role in the prevalence of pregnancy in Walukuba. When analysing the research findings, the researcher came to the conclusion that teenagers fall pregnant even though they know that their home background will not be able to cater for and support the baby. When one reviews the literature, as reflected in chapter two, it becomes evident that the significant findings pertaining to teenage pregnancy in this study are issues that manifest themselves as mitigating factors in other African countries as revealed in literature. The recommendations that become significant to this study is that government ought to take a more defined role in supporting schools and the communities through their various structures, developing educational opportunities in order to mould and shape good moral citizens.