Exploring the role of education education in mitigating teenage pregnancy among secondary school children in Munali area, in Lusaka, Zambia.

Abstract

This study was aimed at exploring the role of education in mitigating teenage pregnancy among secondary school children in Munali area, Lusaka. The research design was a descriptive case study in which interviews were conducted and questionnaires were distributed.The themes of this research were i). to determine how education can mitigate teenage pregnancy among school children, ii). to identify factors that lead to teenage pregnancy among secondary school girls, and iii). to establish possible challenges and barriers of education in mitigating teenage pregnancy. Thisresearch takes a total of 40 participants including 20 school teenage girls who happen to be the main characteristic feature for which this study was undertaken, 10 teachers, and 10 heads of department. In response to the educative measures in order to mitigate teenage pregnancy, among the findings the study found that there is need to promote community service activities, and providing education about birth control is among the main measures to consider in order mitigate teenage pregnancies. Also the study found that misinterpretation of children’s, lack of awareness and insight regarding the consequences of teenage pregnancy are among the major factors leading to teenage pregnancy. More so, it found that poor collaboration among school departments, lack of public awareness and programs, lack of sensitization workshops and having unqualified educators in terms of counseling both in the communities and schools are some of the challenges and barriers being faced thereby leading to high levels of teenage pregnancies. Additionally, most prominent recommendations suggest that the Zambian government with other stakeholders including parents to be actively engaged in partnership with the schools, communities such as Munali, and work together with social workers so as to curb teenage pregnancies.