Exploring the social and environmental factors of teenage pregnancy in Matshana rural area, King Cetshwayo District
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Date
2025
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University of Zululand
Abstract
ENGLISH
Teenage pregnancy is a global phenomenon that is influenced by a variety of circumstances, including the interaction of social and environmental variables. Studies have found that community perceptions, cultural norms, and economic realities all have a substantial impact on teenagers’ experiences and decisions.
This qualitative, interpretivist case study investigates the social and environmental factors that influence teenage pregnancy in the Matshana rural area of King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews with seven teenage mothers, four teenage fathers, two life orientation teachers, and one social worker, highlight several significant themes.
Findings indicate inadequate parental control, poor communication between parents/guardians and teenagers, and a lack of sexual and reproductive health knowledge as significant contributors to teenage pregnancy. Additionally, intentional pregnancies, substance use, socioeconomic status, and healthcare workers' behaviours and attitudes were identified as contributory factors. The study also highlighted the importance of open communication between parents and teenagers and advocates for the establishment of teenage-friendly health programmes and staff.
The recommendations of community support and improved educational programs could mitigate these issues. Engaging stakeholders in developing comprehensive strategies may foster a more supportive environment for teenagers facing pregnancy. Health care workers attending youth-focussed training to provide youth-friendly services. Parenting training or dialogues that address sex, sexuality and pregnancy should be organised in the community.
ISIZULU Ukukhulelwa kwentsha kuyinto eyenzeka emhlabeni wonke, ebangwa izimo ezihlukahlukene, kuhlanganisa ukusebenzelana kwezinto eziguquguqukayo emphakathini nezemvelo. Ucwaningo luye lwathola ukuthi imibono yomphakathi, izindlela zokuziphatha zamasiko, nezimo zomnotho konke kunomthelela omkhulu kulokhu intsha ebhekananakho nezinqumo zayo. Lolu cwaningo lwezimo, lokuhumusha, luhlola izici zezenhlalo nezemvelo ezinomthelela ekukhulelweni kwentsha endaweni yasemakhaya yaseMatshana esifundeni saseKing Cetshwayo, KwaZulu-Natal. Ukuxoxa ubuso nobuso nomama abayisikhombisa abasebasha, obaba abane abasebasha, othisha ababili abafundisa izeluleko zokuphila, nesisebenzi esisodwa sezenhlalakahle kugcizelela izingqikithi eziningana ezibalulekile. Okutholakele kubonisa ukuthi ukulawula kwabazali okunganele, ukuxhumana okungalungile phakathi kwabazali/abaqaphi nentsha, nokuntuleka kolwazi lwezempilo yezocansi nokuzala kuyizinto ezibalulekile ezibangela ukukhulelwa kwentsha. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukukhulelwa ngamabomu, ukusetshenziswa kwezidakamizwa, isimo sezenhlalo nezomnotho, kanye nokuziphatha nezimo zengqondo zabasebenzi bezempilo kwabonwa njengezici ezibangela lokhu. Lolu cwaningo lwagcizelela nokubaluleka kokuxhumana okuvulekile phakathi kwabazali nentsha futhi lukhuthaza ukusungulwa kwezinhlelo zezempilo ezilungele intsha kanye nabasebenzi abanobungane kwintsha. Izincomo zokuxhaswa umphakathi kanye nezinhlelo zemfundo ezithuthukisiwe zinganciphisa lezi zinkinga. Ukuhlanganisa ababambiqhaza ekuthuthukiseni amasu ahlanganisayo kungakhuthaza isimo esisekela ngokwengeziwe intsha ebhekene nokukhulelwa. Abasebenzi bezempilo abaqeqeshelwa ukuhlinzeka ngezinsiza ezilungele intsha. Ukuqeqeshwa kwabazali noma izingxoxo ezikhuluma ngocansi, ubulili nokukhulelwa kufanele kuhlelwe emphakathini.
ISIZULU Ukukhulelwa kwentsha kuyinto eyenzeka emhlabeni wonke, ebangwa izimo ezihlukahlukene, kuhlanganisa ukusebenzelana kwezinto eziguquguqukayo emphakathini nezemvelo. Ucwaningo luye lwathola ukuthi imibono yomphakathi, izindlela zokuziphatha zamasiko, nezimo zomnotho konke kunomthelela omkhulu kulokhu intsha ebhekananakho nezinqumo zayo. Lolu cwaningo lwezimo, lokuhumusha, luhlola izici zezenhlalo nezemvelo ezinomthelela ekukhulelweni kwentsha endaweni yasemakhaya yaseMatshana esifundeni saseKing Cetshwayo, KwaZulu-Natal. Ukuxoxa ubuso nobuso nomama abayisikhombisa abasebasha, obaba abane abasebasha, othisha ababili abafundisa izeluleko zokuphila, nesisebenzi esisodwa sezenhlalakahle kugcizelela izingqikithi eziningana ezibalulekile. Okutholakele kubonisa ukuthi ukulawula kwabazali okunganele, ukuxhumana okungalungile phakathi kwabazali/abaqaphi nentsha, nokuntuleka kolwazi lwezempilo yezocansi nokuzala kuyizinto ezibalulekile ezibangela ukukhulelwa kwentsha. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukukhulelwa ngamabomu, ukusetshenziswa kwezidakamizwa, isimo sezenhlalo nezomnotho, kanye nokuziphatha nezimo zengqondo zabasebenzi bezempilo kwabonwa njengezici ezibangela lokhu. Lolu cwaningo lwagcizelela nokubaluleka kokuxhumana okuvulekile phakathi kwabazali nentsha futhi lukhuthaza ukusungulwa kwezinhlelo zezempilo ezilungele intsha kanye nabasebenzi abanobungane kwintsha. Izincomo zokuxhaswa umphakathi kanye nezinhlelo zemfundo ezithuthukisiwe zinganciphisa lezi zinkinga. Ukuhlanganisa ababambiqhaza ekuthuthukiseni amasu ahlanganisayo kungakhuthaza isimo esisekela ngokwengeziwe intsha ebhekene nokukhulelwa. Abasebenzi bezempilo abaqeqeshelwa ukuhlinzeka ngezinsiza ezilungele intsha. Ukuqeqeshwa kwabazali noma izingxoxo ezikhuluma ngocansi, ubulili nokukhulelwa kufanele kuhlelwe emphakathini.
Description
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2025].