The adverse effects of early motherhood on teenage mothers in Awach Subcounty, Gulu District

Abstract

Teenage motherhood remains a significant public health and social challenge in Uganda ,particularly rural areas like Awach ,Gulu district .early motherhood often disrupts education, limits economic opportunities and exacerbates health risk for both young mothers with their children .despite existing studies on teenage pregnancy in Uganda ,there‟s limited qualitative exploration of lived experiences of teenage mothers in Awach ,Gulu district ,particularly regarding the socio-economic ,psychological and the support systems and coping mechanisms they use to become resilient. This qualitative study sought to explore the adverse effects of teenage motherhood on teenage mothers in Awach, Gulu district, focusing on their educational, economic, social and psychological wellbeing. A phenomenological approach was employed to understand the personal experiences of teenage mothers. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 teenage mothers aged 15-19 years from Pagea one of the parishes in Awach sub county three girls were got from the three villages of the parish; Laminyao, Laminbule with an exception of Laguto that had four .Data was collected through in-depth interviews and key informant interviews while maintaining ethical considerations of informed consent, confidentiality and voluntary participation. These interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis .The study revealed key adverse effects that included educational disruption with most participants dropping out of school due to stigma, childcare responsibilities and limited future opportunities. Economic hardship was also revealed in the study and this was in form of dependency on family members and partners and the limited qualifications they have of the jobs with time to work. More so the study revealed that most teenage mothers face social isolation and discrimination which altogether causes psychological stress which is also an effect of teenage motherhood on them. The study also shade light on how teenage mothers relied on various support systems and coping strategies to navigate the challenges of early motherhood .family support, particularly from mothers and sisters, played a crucial role in childcare and emotional encouragement though some faced strained relationships. Religiosity and peer networks also served as key coping mechanisms, providing emotional solace and shared experiences. However economic hardships and societal stigma often over showed these supports leaving many teenage mothers struggling with isolation and limited long term problems. These findings underscore the need for stronger institutional and community based support systems to enhance resilience among teenage mothers in Awach. In conclusion, teenage motherhood in Awach, Gulu district has profound and multifaceted adverse effects on young mothers, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization .the study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions, including comprehensive sexual education, economic support programs and community sensitization to reduce stigma and support teenage mothers.