Teenage Pregnancy

Teenagers haven’t done much in their lives to be having children. Teenage pregnancy synonymously known as “Adolescent Pregnancy” is a global problem occurring in developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries.

The problem is a sociologic phenomenon coupled with high medical consequences.

The entire problem must be viewed in the context of current social patterns, an understanding of adolescent development, the significance of peer pressure and their biological changes to make it possible for children to bear children.

Teenagers encountered in practice, clinics, and outreach educational projects have reported that peer pressure is their single greatest motivator in regards to sexual behavior. And this is one major reason why teenagers involve in such shameful act.

Also, several identified reasons for involving in premarital sex causing unintended pregnancy are poverty, sexual violence, knowledge gaps and misconceptions on where to obtain contraceptive methods and how to use them.

Expatiating more, poverty is one of the leading causes of teenage pregnancy. Teenagers who cannot fend for their needs will be prompted to involve in this menace in order to get money but the end product of it is pregnancy, and an unplanned pregnancy is an equal opportunity affliction.

Also, in many societies, girls are under pressure to marry and bear children early, which is a contributing factor to teenage pregnancy. In least developed countries, at least 39% of girls marry before 18 years of age and 12% before the age of 15.

In many places, girls choose to become pregnant because they have limited educational and employment prospects.

Often, in societies, motherhood is valued and marriage and childbearing may be the best of limited options available.

Adolescents who may want to avoid pregnancies may not be able to, due to the knowledge gaps and misconceptions.

They face barriers to accessing contraception including restrictive laws and policies regarding provision of contraceptive based on age or marital status, health workers bias or lack of willingness to acknowledge adolescents’ sexual health needs.

This inability to access contraceptives is because of their knowledge, transportation, and financial constraints. Additionally, adolescents may lack the agency of autonomy to ensure the correct and consistent use of a contraceptive method.

An additional cause of unintended pregnancy is sexual violence which is widespread with more than a third of girls in some countries reporting that their first sexual encounter was coerced.

Health Consequences
Teenage pregnancy is not a new problem, yet in the last 20 years, several factors have influenced the awareness of the problem and its consequences.

Experience shows that the pregnant teenagers are unlikely to have completed growth tasks, particularly the acquisition of independent thinking and a mature understanding of self.

Also, pregnancy and childbirth complication are the leading cause of death of girls aged 15-19 globally in underdeveloped and developing countries accounting.

Adolescent mothers aged 10-19 face higher risk of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systematic infections than women aged 20-24 years.

Additionally, some 3-9 million unsafe abortions among girls aged 15-19 years occur each year, contributing maternal mortality, morbidity and lasting health problems.

There is a sanctity involved in bringing a child into this world, it is better than bombing one out of it.

To curb the unprecedented issues, and problems, of these health consequences, paediatricians’ role are needed and very vital. Their role in teenage pregnancy is multifaceted. The prepregnancy nutrition can be improved through pediactrics’ guides and advice.

Sex education can also be improved through their advocacy; also, the pregnancy prevention service is delivered by them.

Conclusively, teenage pregnancy is a shameful act which must be curbed. Teenagers should not think getting pregnant or having oneself involved in sexual intercourse would compel a partner to be more sincere in their oath of relationship.

Thus, I will implore fellow teenagers out there to make self-value their indispensable life mate because teenage pregnancy is an arrow that hatters the future of every visionary youth.