Access to Information and Decision Making on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention by Females in Tshwane

ABSTRACT

Background: The increase in the number of teenage pregnancies and its negative consequences has encouraged various researchers to explore the possible causes of teenage pregnancy. Findings from previously-conducted research have indicated different preventable factors that predispose female teenagers to pregnancy; such as staff attitudes and the lack of information resulting from poor access to health facilities.Objective: To explore and describe access to information and decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by females using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane; South Africa.Method: In this study; the researchers used a descriptive qualitative and exploratory research design to explore and describe the verbal reports regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy by females using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane; South Africa. Face-to-face semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 female participants aged between 15 and 26; who had been pregnant once or more during their teens.Results: Two themes emerged; namely; access to information and decision making by female teenagers. Five categories that emerged were access to information on pregnancy prevention; ignoring of provided information; the use of alternative medicine with hormonal contraception; personal reasons for use and non-use of contraception; and decisions made by teenagers to not fall pregnant. Females in this study fell pregnant in their teens; even though they had access to information.Conclusion: Given the complexity of this problem; female teenagers should use their families as primary sources of information for reproductive health promotion and educational institutions should build on this to aid the prevention of teenage pregnancy