Causes of teenage pregnancies in secondary schools: a study of Kamulanga secondary school, Lusaka district, Zambia.
Date
2019
Authors
Singa, Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The study attempted to establish the causes of teenage pregnancies in secondary schools, a study of Kamulanga Secondary School in Lusaka District of Zambia. The study focused on ascertaining possible causes of teenage pregnancies. The research used the descriptive survey design. Hence, the use of the descriptive design was used in this study to establish the factors factors leading to the continuation to the continuation of teenage pregnancies among secondary school girls despite the sensitisation on HIV/ AIDS pandemic and Abstinence, to establish the effects of teenage pregnancies on the girls` academic lives, to establish how school management help teenage pregnant girl to cope with their pregnancies and continue with their education and what can be done to prevent teenage pregnancies. A total population sample of 58 participated in the study at Kamulanga Secondary School. Hence, purposive sampling was done when selecting the 2 administrators and the 2 guidance and counselling teachers while, random sampling was used when selecting 12 class teachers, 4 teenage mothers, 4 parents/guardians and 40 other students. Participants were purposely selected for the study. The study used Microsoft Excel to analyse quantitative and qualitative data. Thus, literature review was reviewed both locally and internationally. The findings of the research were associated with the assertions made. With regards to the factors that cause the continuation in teenage pregnancies among secondary school girls the findings revealed that; there were inadequate counselling, sexuality education and no qualified guidance and counselling teachers to conduct counselling, no room from where counselling could be conducted. Also, inadequate parental guidance on sexuality issues, peer pressure and low social-economic issues. Hence, the study also showed that the effects for teenage pregnancies were, low self- esteem, stigma, dropping out of school and low grades in the subjects. Other findings on how management help the pregnant girls were, by informing parent in written form, putting girls on re-entry policy programme. Not much was being done to prevent teenage pregnancies though the administrators aimed at having adequate counselling for the girls in school and sensitising their parents on the importance of having discussions on sexuality issues with their teenage girls. It was therefore, recommended that the government through the Ministry of Education should ensure that they deploy qualified guidance and counselling teachers to schools and that management should ensure that parents and school children should be involved in the discussion of sexuality issues.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in Counselling.