Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Challenges of Teenage Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana
,
Abstract
Objective: Teenage pregnancy poses significant public health challenges globally, particularly affecting the physical and mental well-being of adolescent girls. Despite a global decline in teenage birth rates, regions like sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience high prevalence. In Ghana's Tamale metropolis, teenage pregnancy rates have shown a concerning rise, underscoring the need for an in-depth exploration of its multifaceted impacts. This study aims to explore the physical and mental health effects of teenage pregnancy in the Tamale metropolis, capturing their personal experiences and coping mechanisms.
Materials and methods: Employing a qualitative exploratory descriptive design, the study conducted a focus group discussion with 10 first-time teenage mothers aged 13–19 whose babies were less than
1 month. Participants were purposively sampled from antenatal records across five Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds. Discussions, guided by the socioecological model, were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed using NVivo software.
Results: Participants reported numerous physical health challenges, including severe nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, musculoskeletal pain, and infections like candidiasis. Mental health struggles encompass feelings of sadness, irritability, anxiety, and societal-induced stress. Coping strategies varied, with reliance on trusted individuals, avoidance of social situations, support from healthcare professionals, and family backing emerging as predominant themes.
Conclusion: This study revealed profound physical and mental health challenges compounded by societal stigma and limited resources. Strengthening social support networks, reducing stigma, and promoting patient-centered care are imperative. Targeted interventions are also essential to enhance health outcomes for these young mothers and their children.
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23. Byrne D. A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity. 2022; 56:1391–1412.
24. Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME. Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nat Sci Sleep. 2017;9:151-161.
25. Prathama S, Koushik T. Pterygium. StatPearls [Internet]. 2023;1–14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558907/
26. Gigi RMS, Garcia DB, Taghavi K, Dunaiski CM, Wijgert JHHM Van De, Peters RPH, et al. Vulvovaginal yeast infections during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes : systematic review and meta analysis. BMC Womens Health [Internet]. 2023;1–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02258-7
27. Cherry AL, Dillon ME. International Handbook of Adolescent Pregnancy. New York; Springer, 2014.
28. Rotta I. Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: Educational Strategies and Implementation in Public Health. Spain; CIPF, 2023.
29. Anayochukwu GI. Teenage pregnancy and its consequences: Evidence from a South-eastern rural community of Nigeria. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education. 2022;2(3):245–67.
30. Olajubu AO, Omoloye GO, Olajubu TO, Olowokere AE. Stress and resilience among pregnant teenagers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Eur J Midwifery. 2021;5:9.
31. Ntshayintshayi PN, Sehularo LA, Mokgaola IO, Sepeng NV. Exploring the psychosocial challenges faced by pregnant teenagers in Ditsobotla subdistrict. Health SA. 2022;27:1880.
32. Enriquez M, Kelly PJ, Witt J, Rodriguez L, Lopez N, Smueles J, Romey T, Sweet D. Silence is not golden: invisible Latinas living with HIV in the Midwest. J Immigr Minor Health. 2010;12(6):932-9.
33. Greensberry TC. Exploring the Influences of Intergenerational Pregnancies on Teenage Girls, Ages 16 – 19. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. Walden university, 2018; Minneapolis. Available from: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6031
34. Kerobo S. The Experiences of Teenage Mothers About the Socioeconomic Aspects of Teen Pregnancy in a Low-Income Community. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. Walden university, 2022; Minneapolis. Available from: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12742
35. Mangeli M, Rayyani M, Cheraghi MA, Tirgari B. Exploring the Challenges of Adolescent Mothers From Their Life Experiences in the Transition to Motherhood: A Qualitative Study. J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(3):165–73.
2. World Health Organization. World health statistics 2024: monitoring health for the SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024.
3. Sully EA et al., Adding It Up: Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health 2019, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2020.
4. Darroch J, Woog V, Bankole A ALS. Adding it up: Costs and benefits of meeting the contraceptive needs of adolescents. New York: Guttmacher Institute. 2016.
5. Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana Health Service (GHS), and ICF International. 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Key Findings. Rockville, Maryland, USA: GSS, GHS, and ICF International, 2015. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/sr224/sr224.pdf .
6. Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and ICF. Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2022: Key Indicators Report. Accra, Ghana, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: GSS and ICF, 2023. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/PR149/PR149.pdf .
7. Akugri, Gloria. Teenage Pregnancy and Educational Progression of the Girl Child: A Study of the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. 2017.
8. Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana Health Service (GHS), and ICF International. Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2014. Rockville, Maryland, USA: GSS, GHS, and ICF International, 2015. Available from: https://www2.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/publications/2014%20GDHS%20%20Report.pdf .
9. Zezza A, Winters P, Davis B, Carletto G, Covarrubias K, Quinones E, et al. Rural Household Access to Assets and Agrarian Institutions; A Cross Country Comparison. SSRN Electronic Journal. 2007, 10.2139/ssrn.3307435.
10. Diabelková J, Rimárová K, Dorko E, Urdzík P, Houžvičková A, Argalášová Ľ. Adolescent Pregnancy Outcomes and Risk Factors. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(5):4113.
11. Gyimah LA, Annan RA, Apprey C, Asamoah-Boakye O, Aduku LNE, Azanu W, et al. Nutritional status and birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ashanti Region, Ghana. Human Nutrition and Metabolism [Internet]. 2021;26:200130. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hnm.2021.200130
12. Mutahi J, Larsen A, Cuijpers P, Peterson SS, Unutzer J, McKay M, et al. Mental health problems and service gaps experienced by pregnant adolescents and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;44:101289.
13. United Nation. The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. An opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean. ECLAC publication [Internet]. 2018. 1–94 p. Available from: https://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/40156/25/S1801140_en.pdf
14. United Nation. Goal 1: No Poverty. Sustainable Development Goals and Targets. Available from: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/poverty/
15. Luttges C, Leal I, Huepe G, González D, González E, Molina T. Pregnant again? Perspectives of adolescent and young mothers who and do not experience a repeat pregnancy in adolescence. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2021;16(1):1898317.
16. Abdul-Wahab I, Nungbaso AM, Nukpezah RN, Dzantor EK. Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Asian Research Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2021;6(ARJGO.71989):31–47.
17. Dubik JD, Asumah MN, Nachinab GT- enkawol, Gariba A, Irene Adumbire A, Christabel Adimazoya L, et al. Factors Influencing the Utilization of Contraceptives among Adolescents in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Asian Journal of Medicine and Health. 2022;20(3):56–68.
18. Yussif AS, Lassey A, Ganyaglo GY, Kantelhardt EJ, Kielstein H. The long-term effects of adolescent pregnancies in a community in Northern Ghana on subsequent pregnancies and births of the young mothers. Reprod Health. 2017;14(1):178.
19. Mohammed S. Analysis of national and subnational prevalence of adolescent pregnancy and changes in the associated sexual behaviours and sociodemographic determinants across three decades in Ghana, 1988-2019. BMJ Open. 2023;13(3):e068117.
20. Asumah MN, Abubakari A, Amankwa AM, Owusu D, Fosuah F, Anane J. Utilization of Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) and associated factors among young people (10 - 24 years): a cross sectional study in the Tamale Metropolis, Northern Region of Ghana. PAMJ Clinical Medicine. 2023;12.
21. Crouch M, McKenzie H. The logic of small samples in interview-based qualitative research. Social Science Information. 2006;45(4):483–99.
22. Subedi KR. Determining the Sample in Qualitative Research. Scholars’ Journal. 2021;4:1–13.
23. Byrne D. A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity. 2022; 56:1391–1412.
24. Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME. Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nat Sci Sleep. 2017;9:151-161.
25. Prathama S, Koushik T. Pterygium. StatPearls [Internet]. 2023;1–14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558907/
26. Gigi RMS, Garcia DB, Taghavi K, Dunaiski CM, Wijgert JHHM Van De, Peters RPH, et al. Vulvovaginal yeast infections during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes : systematic review and meta analysis. BMC Womens Health [Internet]. 2023;1–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02258-7
27. Cherry AL, Dillon ME. International Handbook of Adolescent Pregnancy. New York; Springer, 2014.
28. Rotta I. Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: Educational Strategies and Implementation in Public Health. Spain; CIPF, 2023.
29. Anayochukwu GI. Teenage pregnancy and its consequences: Evidence from a South-eastern rural community of Nigeria. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education. 2022;2(3):245–67.
30. Olajubu AO, Omoloye GO, Olajubu TO, Olowokere AE. Stress and resilience among pregnant teenagers in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Eur J Midwifery. 2021;5:9.
31. Ntshayintshayi PN, Sehularo LA, Mokgaola IO, Sepeng NV. Exploring the psychosocial challenges faced by pregnant teenagers in Ditsobotla subdistrict. Health SA. 2022;27:1880.
32. Enriquez M, Kelly PJ, Witt J, Rodriguez L, Lopez N, Smueles J, Romey T, Sweet D. Silence is not golden: invisible Latinas living with HIV in the Midwest. J Immigr Minor Health. 2010;12(6):932-9.
33. Greensberry TC. Exploring the Influences of Intergenerational Pregnancies on Teenage Girls, Ages 16 – 19. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. Walden university, 2018; Minneapolis. Available from: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6031
34. Kerobo S. The Experiences of Teenage Mothers About the Socioeconomic Aspects of Teen Pregnancy in a Low-Income Community. Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. Walden university, 2022; Minneapolis. Available from: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12742
35. Mangeli M, Rayyani M, Cheraghi MA, Tirgari B. Exploring the Challenges of Adolescent Mothers From Their Life Experiences in the Transition to Motherhood: A Qualitative Study. J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(3):165–73.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 18, No 4 (December 2024) | |
| Section | Original Articles | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v18i4.17425 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Teenage Pregnancy Physical Health Mental Health Coping Strategies | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Tahiru R, Kona C, Nyari A, Mohammed T, Pwamang D. Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Challenges of Teenage Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. J Family Reprod Health. 2024;18(4):246-252.
