1
|
Zulu JM, Crankshaw TL, Ouedraogo R, Juma K, Aantjes CJ. "The ones at the bottom of the food chain": structural drivers of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion amongst adolescent girls in Zambia. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:137. [PMID: 39187865 PMCID: PMC11346015 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01377-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to safe abortion care is highly unequal and fundamentally rooted in socioeconomic inequalities which are amplified by restrictive social norms and legal systems. We analyse these inequalities along the reproductive health continuum amongst adolescent girls in Zambia. METHODOLOGY This paper draws from 20 focus group discussions conducted in 2021 with community members (young/adult) in five urban, peri urban, and rural sites in Zambia. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Adolescent pregnancy in the community was reported to be very common across the communities with girls from poorer families being disproportionately affected. Parents were reported to be complicit in facilitating their daughter's sexual-economic exchanges which emerged as a key driver of pregnancies. Young age and unmarried status meant adolescent girls could face triple stigma: stigma around accessing contraception to prevent a pregnancy, stigma in experiencing an unintended pregnancy and stigma around terminating an unintended pregnancy. There were clear socioeconomic differences in adolescent girl's exposure to community and health provider censure and/or acceptance of their pregnancy, and in their ability to conceal an abortion. Having the means to pay for health care allows some adolescents to seek terminations earlier and to access private health facilities while poorer adolescent girls face greater exposure to community censure through their embeddedness within the community. Abortions in this group attracts greater visibility through complications arising from their constrained choice for safe abortion methods. Stigmatising attitudes of community members also undermined adolescents' reproductive agency and mental health. For adolescents who choose to keep an unintended pregnancy, reintegration into school was highly challenging despite a national policy in place, with marriage being viewed as the only future option for poorer teenage mothers. CONCLUSION The embeddedness of adolescent pregnancies within community structures of economic insecurity and gendered and age-related power relations highlight the importance of introducing community level approaches to tackle unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion. Understanding teenage pregnancy as a community issue creates opportunities for community level support to young girls especially when they return to school.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Mumba Zulu
- Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, PO Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, PO Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Tamaryn L Crankshaw
- Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ramatou Ouedraogo
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), PO Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kenneth Juma
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), PO Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Carolien J Aantjes
- Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Faculty of Science, Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Okyere J, Yeboa NK, Nikoi C, Owusu-Amoako M, Ferka L, Nurzhynska A, Amo-Adjei J. Adolescent sexual and reproductive health needs and utilisation of health services in the Bono East Region, Ghana. Reprod Health 2024; 21:87. [PMID: 38886821 PMCID: PMC11184831 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-024-01822-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents in Ghana are vulnerable to unequal power relations at the personal, community and structural levels which in turn limits their opportunities in access to critical sexual and reproductive health information and services. There is therefore high unmet need for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services and the Bono East region typifies this situation, recording some of the poorest SRHR outcomes among adolescents. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the SRH needs (unmet), behaviors and utilization of SRH services among adolescents in the Bono East region. METHODS Using a maximum variation sampling approach, this qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews and focused group discussions with adolescent boys and girls, parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers. RESULTS Our findings are presented under two broad categories: major SRHR concerns of adolescents, and perspectives about that influences adolescents' utilization of SRHR services. Under the major SRHR need of adolescents, the following themes emerged: information and services on pregnancy prevention, menstrual hygiene management, availability of comprehensive abortion care services, and attitudes towards adolescent pregnancy. The perspectives about the factors that influence adolescent children were discussed at multiple levels: individual/personal. interpersonal and community/societal. At the individual level, limited understanding of adolescence/puberty, desire of adolescents to belong and misperceptions about contraceptives. At the interpersonal level, issues relating to technical capacity needs of service providers, disrespect exhibited by service providers, and parental failure were identified as influential factors. Then at the community/societal level, we identified structural constraints and compromised social safety concerns in accessing contraceptives and services. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the findings from this study offer valuable insights into the complex landscape of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the Bono East region. The implications for policy and practice are manifold, ranging from comprehensive education to addressing menstrual hygiene, involving parents, training healthcare providers, and promoting respectful care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Okyere
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Naomi Kyeremaa Yeboa
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Charity Nikoi
- UNICEF Ghana Office, Social and Behaviour Change Communication Unit, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Listowel Ferka
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Anastasia Nurzhynska
- UNICEF Kenya Office, Social and Behaviour Change Communication Unit, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Amo-Adjei
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Okoth L, Steege R, Ngunjiri A, Theobald S, Otiso L. Policy and practices shaping the delivery of health services to pregnant adolescents in informal urban settlements in Kenya. Health Policy Plan 2023; 38:ii25-ii35. [PMID: 37995266 PMCID: PMC10666924 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In Kenya, the pregnancy rate of 15% among adolescents aged 15-19 years is alarmingly high. Adolescent girls living in informal urban settlements are exposed to rapid socio-economic transitions and multiple intersecting health risks and may be particularly disadvantaged in accessing sexual reproductive health services. Understanding vulnerabilities and service-seeking behaviours from different perspectives is important in order to support the development and implementation of progressive policies and services that meet adolescents' unique needs within urban informal settlements. This study explored policy makers, community health service providers' and community members' perceptions of access to, and delivery of, sexual reproductive health services for pregnant adolescents in one informal urban settlement in Nairobi. We employed qualitative methods with respondents throughout the health system, purposively sampled by gender and diversity of roles. We conducted focus group discussions with community members (n = 2 female-only; n = 2 male-only), key informant interviews with policy makers (n = 8), traditional birth attendants (n = 12), community health volunteers (CHVs) (n = 11), a nutritionist (n = 1), social workers (n = 2) and clinical officers (n = 2). We analysed the data using thematic analysis. Government policies and strategies on sexual and reproductive health for adolescents exist in Kenya and there are examples of innovative and inclusive practice within facilities. Key factors that support the provision of services to pregnant adolescents include devolved governance, and effective collaboration and partnerships, including with CHVs. However, inadequate financing and medical supplies, human resource shortages and stigmatizing attitudes from health providers and communities, mean that pregnant adolescents from informal urban settlements often miss out on critical services. The provision of quality, youth-friendly reproductive health services for this group requires policies and practice that seek to achieve reproductive justice through centring the needs and realities of pregnant adolescents, acknowledging the complex and intersecting social inequities they face.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosie Steege
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- MARCH Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sally Theobald
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ajayi AI, Chamdimba E, Sawadogo N, Gitahi N, Tarnagda AM, Ilboudo AK, Munthali A, Thakwalakwa C, Otukpa EO, Ushie BA, Kabiru CW. Socio-ecological factors associated with probable depression among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls: findings from a cross-sectional study in Burkina Faso and Malawi. Reprod Health 2023; 20:38. [PMID: 36882850 PMCID: PMC9990966 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01588-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant and parenting adolescent girls are at risk of poor mental health because of stigma and social exclusion. Despite one in four girls starting childbearing by the age of 19 in Africa, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has examined the multi-layered factors (individual, family, friends, and neighborhood-related factors) associated with depressive symptoms among pregnant and parenting girls in Africa. Our study contributes to addressing this gap by examining the socio-ecological factors associated with depression symptoms among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls. METHODS Our study adopted a cross-sectional design. Between March and September 2021, we interviewed 980 pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and 669 in Blantyre, Malawi. We recruited pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in randomly selected urban and rural enumeration areas in Burkina Faso (n = 71) and Malawi (n = 66). We assessed depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which generated an overall score of 27. We considered a score of 10 or more as probable depression. We also obtained information on individual, family, friends, and neighborhood characteristics. We employed logistic regression models to examine the significant factors associated with probable depression among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls. RESULTS The prevalence of probable depression was 18.8% and 14.5% in Burkina Faso and Malawi, respectively. At the individual level, having secondary education was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of probable depression in Malawi (AOR: 0.47; 95% CI 0.27-0.82) but not in Burkina Faso. At the family level, denying paternity (AOR: 3.14; 95% CI 1.34-7.11 in Malawi) and no parental support (AOR: 2.08; 95% CI 1.22-3.55 in Burkina Faso) were associated with higher odds of probable depression. At the community level, perceived neighborhood safety was associated with a lower likelihood of probable depression in Malawi (AOR: 0.74; 95% CI 0.61-0.89) and Burkina Faso (AOR: 0.81; 95% CI 0.73-0.90). Having a safety net within the community was associated with lower odds of probable depression in Burkina Faso (AOR: 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.96) but not in Malawi. CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms are common among pregnant and parenting adolescents, suggesting the need to screen them regularly for depression during antenatal and postnatal visits. Factors associated with depression among pregnant and parenting girls operate at multiple levels suggesting a need for multilevel interventions that address all areas of vulnerabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Idowu Ajayi
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Manga Close, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Elita Chamdimba
- Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi, P. O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Nathalie Sawadogo
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences de La Population, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, B.P. 7118, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Nyawira Gitahi
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St Room 500, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Abdoul Moumini Tarnagda
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences de La Population, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, B.P. 7118, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoul Kader Ilboudo
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences de La Population, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, B.P. 7118, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Alister Munthali
- Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi, P. O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi
| | | | - Emmanuel Oloche Otukpa
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Manga Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Boniface Ayanbekongshie Ushie
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Manga Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caroline W Kabiru
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Manga Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Groenewald C, Isaacs N, Qoza P. Hope, agency, and adolescents' sexual and reproductive health: A mini review. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1007005. [PMID: 36874262 PMCID: PMC9982081 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1007005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Availability of and access to services that promote sexual and reproductive health (SRH) amongst adolescent girls have become a global priority. Yet, while researchers have explored factors that influence the uptake of SRH services in low-and-middle income countries, the roles that "agency" and "hope" play in adolescent SRH is less understood. To study this, this mini review systematically reviewed the literature across three databases, EBSCO-host web, Pubmed and South Africa (SA) epublications, for the period of January 2012 to January 2022. Findings showed that a paucity of studies identified the link between agency, hope and adolescent SRH respectively. Our review included 12 articles and found no studies that focused on hope and its role in adolescent SRH or seeking SRH services. However, the literature revealed the complexities of adolescent SRH agency and autonomy where female adolescents had limited autonomy to make SRH decisions. Limited access to adolescent friendly SRH services was also found to restrict girls' agency to prevent unintended pregnancies or to take up SRH support. Given the paucity of research, empirical studies are needed to further understand the extent to which hope, agency and other subjective factors implicate adolescent SRH in the African context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candice Groenewald
- Centre for Community-Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Psychology Department, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Nazeema Isaacs
- Impact Centre, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phiwokazi Qoza
- Centre for Community-Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Malama K, Logie CH, Okumu M, Hakiza R, Mwima S, Kyambadde P. Factors associated with motherhood among urban refugee adolescent girls and young women in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda. Women Health 2023; 63:51-58. [PMID: 36529708 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2022.2158411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa face a high risk of unintended pregnancy. This risk is compounded in informal settlements, where resources are scarce and access to sexual and reproductive health services is limited. Being a young mother in informal settlements could exacerbate existing experiences of resource scarcity and poor access to sexual and reproductive health services. To explore this, we analyzed the factors associated with motherhood among refugee AGYW in Kampala, Uganda. Between January and March 2018, peer researchers recruited refugee youth aged 15-24 and living in five informal settlements in Kampala to participate in this study. We used a backwards generalized linear model with a log binomial regression to determine if mental health, resource insecurity and sexual and reproductive health variables were associated with motherhood among study participants. Our analysis included 333 AGYW with a mean age of 19.3 years (standard deviation: 2.6). Nearly one-quarter (23 percent; n = 76) of AGYW had children. Having children was associated with greater likelihood of reporting food insecurity (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.96, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-3.61), depressive symptoms (aPR: 2.03, 95 percent CI: 1.09-3.80), and contraception uptake (aPR: 2.37, 95 percent CI: 1.58-3.56) compared to not having children. Mental health and resource insecurity interventions are required for refugee AGYW with children in informal settlements. Sexual and reproductive health services should be promoted to refugee AGYW regardless of motherhood status to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalonde Malama
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Moses Okumu
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,Department of Social Work and Social Administration Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda
| | - Robert Hakiza
- Young African Refugees for Integral Development, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon Mwima
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,AIDS Control Program Republic of Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Kyambadde
- Most At Risk Population Initiative Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gillespie B, Balen J, Allen H, Soma-Pillay P, Anumba D. Shifting Social Norms and Adolescent Girls' Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Information in a South African Township. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:1014-1026. [PMID: 35592927 PMCID: PMC9189597 DOI: 10.1177/10497323221089880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite policy on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and education, teen pregnancies remain common in South Africa. Social norms and cultural resistance are a well-documented challenge for SRH program implementation in South Africa, and beyond. To gain insight on the complex picture of adolescents' access to SRH information and services in a peri-urban township, we explored this topic from a diversity of perspectives, carrying out 86 interviews to capture perceptions of adolescents, their parents, community members, and health professionals. Our research shows that despite the taboo nature of the issue of adolescent SRH, individual positions on adolescent access to SRH services and information are shifting and diverse, and are influenced by factors other than cultural norms. This research serves as a reminder to avoid simplistic reference to "culture" as a way of explaining health-related behaviors and people's responses to health challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen Gillespie
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Julie Balen
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Haddijatou Allen
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Priya Soma-Pillay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Dilly Anumba
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| |
Collapse
|