TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN THE BUILSA DISTRICT: A FOCUS STUDY IN FUMBISI

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a concern in both developed and developing countries. This study examined the knowledge of teenagers in teenage pregnancy and the factors that lead to teenage pregnancy in the Builsa District using Fumbisi as a case study. It also provides suggestions to curb teenage pregnancy. Questionnaires were administered to twenty teenagers between the ages of fourteen and twenty years. The study showed that 80% of the teenagers had knowledge in teenage pregnancy while 20% had no idea of what teenage pregnancy is about. Sixty five percent (65%) indicated that their parents are able to meet their needs and wants. Of the 35% whose parents are unable to meet their needs and wants, they make ends meet from other family members (44%), boyfriends (33%), prostitution (22%), and husbands (4%). Forty percent (40%) indicated that their parents have ever discussed sex and sexuality with them, of which abstinence and the changes that occur during adolescence were the main issue often discussed. The teenagers (80%) suggested that abstinence is the best practice to control teenage pregnancy and their reasons were that contraceptives were not 100% safe to use due to their side effects on human health, they also added that prevention was better than cure. The remaining 20% also said they would go in for contraceptives because they could not abstain from sex. Teenage pregnancy can lead to several unwanted implications in the life or future of teenage girls, especially in under developed countries.