NORTHERN PARAMEDICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE PANABO INC.

In Partial Fulfilment of the requirement for triple I subject

REGIE P. BARNAYJA
MAY, 2022
THE ADOLESCENTS PREGNANCY IN THE WORLD

INTRODUCION

Teen pregnancy is a social problem not resolved in developing and some developed countries. Adolescent
fecundity has become the most exact bio-demographic and health indicator of development. In developing
countries that are expected to follow the sexual behaviour patterns of developed countries, without offering the
levels of education and services for adolescents, the consequences will be adolescent fecundity.
The ignorance about sexuality and reproduction both in parents, teachers and adolescents increases the early
initiation of coital relations and of unwanted pregnancies. Extreme poverty and being the son or daughter of an
adolescent mother are risk factors of repeating the early pregnancy model. The application of predictive risk
criteria in pregnant adolescents to facilitate the rational use of Health Services to diminish the maternal and
perinatal mortality is discussed as well as the social factors associated with adolescent pregnancy as
socioeconomic levels, structure – types and characteristics of the family, early leaving school, schooling after
delivery, female employment, lack of sexual education, parental and family attitudes in different periods of
adolescent pregnancy, adolescent decisions on pregnancy and children, unstable partner relationship and
adoption as an option. (Ramiro Molina, 2012)
TEENAGE pregnancy is a focus of concern in the United Kingdom (UK). This is because the rates of teenage
motherhood are higher than in other Western European countries and have not fallen as fast as rates in those
countries. Decreasing the rate of teenage pregnancy has been the target of government health initiatives over the
last few years. Rates of teenage pregnancy vary widely and are highest in more deprived areas. There are also
variations between outcomes of the pregnancies with more women in poorer socioeconomic situations continuing
with the pregnancy. Concern over teenage pregnancy has focused on a number of areas. Previously there was
concern that early childbirth was harmful for the mother. This does not appear to be the case for well nourished
women in developed countries at the end of the 20 th century, and the rate of caesarean section is about half of that
for older women. There may be slightly higher rates of perinatal death among teenage mothers, but these are less
than those for older mothers.

Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20. Pregnancy
can occur with sexual intercourse after the start of ovulation, which can be before the first menstrual period
(menarche) but usually occurs after the onset of periods. However, that doesn’t stop teenage women who are
expecting from feeling daunted by their pregnancy, particularly if it was unplanned.
The issue that is making teen pregnancy an occurring problem in the Philippines is the lack of sex education,
marginalized communities, and the lack of employment opportunities. Most of these teen pregnancies come out of
the impoverished rural areas with the youngest pregnancies starting at age 10.

The aim of this study is to investigate the experiences of teenage mothers in relation to their role as mothers and
their expectations of their futures.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

There is concern that starting a family young also limits women’s opportunities for their futures. However, it has
also been suggested that previous research has been preoccupied with demonstrating that early childbearing
creates serious disadvantage and overlooks the fact that young mothers overcome obstacles and even derive
psychological benefit from childbearing and rearing.
Philippines is one of the Asian countries which shares similar situation. In a study conducted by the National
Demographic and Health Survey in 2013, one out of every young Filipino women age 15 to 19 is already a mother
or pregnant with a first child. Therefore, the government in partnership with the different non- government
agencies should exert efforts in resolving this issue. Teenage Pregnancies are often associated with social
development issues such as lack of sufficient education and poverty. This often results to single parenthood which
catalyses’ conditions that renders the mothers to become irresponsible.
Among the reasons identified, the major causes of teenage pregnancies are limited access to sexual education and
sexual health services. This is contrary to the church teachings’ alternative methods of family planning. New
technology is also considered as one of the major culprits to the increased number of teenage pregnancy cases.
Occasionally, teenagers get hooked to different social networking sites such as Facebook, Online Dating,
Instagram, etc. Using their smartphones, notebooks and tablets. Due to easy access to new technology and the
curiosity of teenagers to engage in sexual activities without appropriate knowledge about family planning and
contraception, it often ends up with unplanned pregnancy. The big question is: Are they prepared for the role of a
mother despite their young ages? How far can teenagers go to get rid of the unwanted pregnancy? Is abortion an
option?.
Teenage pregnancy is the biggest killer of young girls worldwide; 1, 000, 000 teenage girls die or suffer serious
injury, infection or disease due to pregnancy or childbirth every year. Adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years are twice
as likely to die from complications in pregnancy as are women in their twenties. The youngest girls are particularly
at risk; the mortality rate for those under 15 is four times higher than for those in their 20s.
Teenage pregnancy also has significant long term social consequences for the adolescents, their children, their
families and their communities; it led adolescents to less educational attainment and high school dropout, poor
health and poverty. The children of teenage mothers are also more likely to have lower school achievement and
drop out of high school, have more health problems, are incarcerated at some time during adolescence, give birth
as a teenager, and face unemployment as a young adult.

Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing is a a global health and economic challenge nowadays. Globally, about 18
million adolescent girls between 15–19 years give birth each year (adolescent birth rate was 53 births per 1,000
women). Babies born to adolescent mothers account for 11% of all births worldwide; 95% of these occur in
developing countries. Risk factors for teenage pregnancy are linked to many factors, including a family history of
teenage pregnancy. This research examines whether a mother’s teenage childbearing or an older sister’s teenage
pregnancy more strongly predicts teenage pregnancy.
 Teenage births result in health consequences; children are more likely to be born pre-term, have lower birth
weight, and higher neonatal mortality, while mothers experience greater rates of post-partum depression and are
less likely to initiate breastfeeding. Teenage mothers are less likely to complete high school, are more likely to live
in poverty, and have children who frequently experience health and developmental problems. Understanding the
risk factors for teenage pregnancy is a prerequisite for reducing rates of teenage motherhood. Various social and
biological factors influence the odds of teenage pregnancy; these include exposure to adversity during childhood
and adolescence, a family history of teenage pregnancy, conduct and attention problems, family instability, and
low educational achievement.

Mothers and older sisters are the main sources of family influence on teenage pregnancy; this is due to both social
risk and social influence. Family members both contribute to an individual’s attitudes and values around teenage
pregnancy, and share social risks (such as poverty, ethnicity, and lack of opportunities) that influence the
likelihood of teenage pregnancy. Having an older sister who was a teen mom significantly increases the risk of
teenage childbearing in the younger sister and daughters of teenage mothers were significantly more likely to
become teenage mothers themselves. Girls having both a mother and older sister who had teenage births
experienced the highest odds of teenage pregnancy, with one study reporting an odds ratio of 5.1 (compared with
those who had no history of family teenage pregnancy). Studies consistently indicate that girls with a familial
history of teenage childbearing are at much higher risk of teenage pregnancy and childbearing themselves, but
methodological complexities have resulted in inconsistent findings around “parent/child sexual communication
and adolescent pregnancy risk”. A review of family relationships and adolescent pregnancy risk found risk factors
to include living in poor neighbourhoods and families, having older siblings who were sexually active, and being a
victim of sexual abuse.

Recent medical studies revealed that teenage pregnancy was associated with a high rate of complications only if
prenatal care and maternal diet were inadequate and if the mother was less than 15 years of age. Investigators who
have attempted to identify the typical high pregnancy risk teenager have been unable to do so. Approximately 1/3
of all teenage pregnancies were terminated by abortion.

Teenagers who had abortions tended to have higher educational and career goals and came from higher
socioeconomic classes than teenagers who choose to continue their pregnancies. Teenagers who continued their
pregnancies tended to come from less supportive families. Many teenagers failed to use contraception because
they thought it would appear as if they were planning to engage in sexual behavior. A large proportion of teenage
males displayed little interest in providing pregnancy protection for their girlfriends and assumed it was the girls
problem if she became pregnant. Early child bearing tended to reduce educational and job opportunities for most
girls. Teenage girls were less likely to give up their babies for adoption than in the past. Children raised by teenage
mothers, compared to those raised by adults, tended 1) to have a higher risk of child abuse and 2) to develop at a
slower rate both mentally and physically. Program and policy implications of these findings were 1) sex education
should be introduced at an earlier grade level; 2) small discussion group teaching techniques should be used; 3)
parenting techniques should be taught in sex education programs; 4) contraceptives should be made more readily
available to teenagers; 5) male teenagers should be encouraged to play a more active role in contraception; and 6)
funding of preventive an intervention programs must be increased. (Susan Phipps-Yonas. Am J Orthopsychiatry.
1980 )

Adolescence is a transitional stage between childhood and maturity. In this stage physical and mental
development, involving biological, social and psychological changes occurs between 10-19 years of age. The word
“adolescent” is usually used synonymously with “teenager” (WHO, 2004). During the transition from childhood
to adulthood, adolescents establish outline of behavior and make lifestyle choices that affect both their present
and potential health.
Substance is a gateway for risky sexual behaviours among adolescents which results in teenage pregnancy with
consequent health and social implications. Because it constitutes a deviation from conventional behaviour, it is
regarded as problem behaviour. Adolescents who used substance (alcohol/chat/cigarette) were more likely to
experience teenage pregnancy compared to those who did not use. This finding is supported by the finding from a
systematic review from the European Union Countries and a study conducted in South Africa which revealed that
substance use was significantly associated with teenage pregnancy. This could be attributed to substance use or
being under the influence of substance may influence the adolescent students to unrealistically appraise the
situation and also impair their verbal as well as physical resistance against unprotected sexual intercourse. Hence,
the risk of teenage pregnancy is high.

The fact that having knowledge of the exact time when to take contraceptives prevents unwanted pregnancy is
strongly supported by the finding from this study. The probability of experiencing pregnancy among those who
know the exact time of emergency contraceptives was about 6%, but it was 10% for those who do not know. The
odds of being pregnant was about three times much higher among adolescents who do not know the exact time
when to take emergency contraceptives than among their counterparts. According to the report by WHO, lack of
knowledge about sex and family planning and lack of skills to put that knowledge into practice put adolescents at
risk of pregnancy.

In this study, the risk of teenage pregnancy among adolescents who were living with either of biological parents
and neither of their biological parents was higher as compared to those who were living with both biological
parents.
METHODOLOGY
Nine women who had conceived their first child while still a teenager agreed to participate. Semi-structured
interviews were undertaken, audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed using interpretative phenomenological
analysis.

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
10 Women have been interviewed base on their experiences as a mom in their teenage years. The research
participants have involved different answers and perspectives about the said topics and questions. Most of them
shared their difficulties and struggles while pregnant, and they never suggest teenage pregnancy for anyone. The
inclusion of qualitative research in systematic reviews facilitates the incorporation of “real life” experiences into
evidence based policy making.

DATA COLLECTION METHOD

In this study, the researcher employed the structured interview model. All the respondents received the same
questions in the same order, delivered in a standardized manner. The questions that were used to obtain
information were open-ended. The purpose of interviews in this study was to allow the participants to discuss
their experiences regarding teenage pregnancy in their schools. The interview is smoothly going to its flow and
everyone really cooperate and answer the best answers as they could.

DATA ANALYSIS

It is clear that half the sample came form modest social class backgrounds and had few formal qualifications. A
number were living away from home when they discovered their pregnancy, suggesting that this may increase the
likelihood of early motherhood. In the stories told by the women, their partners are generally not described in
favourable terms. Many partners are significantly older than the young women. Few were supportive, and some
were manipulative and abusive. Many relationships break up within a short time of the pregnancy being
discovered. Respondents commonly describe feeling ‘shocked’ and ‘devastated’ to find they are pregnant. For
some, the fear of ‘confessing’ to parents was also tinged with excitement. The responses of those around them are
often more positive than they expect, which influences their decision to continue with the pregnancy. Some are
strongly opposed to abortion. For others the decision is more complicated and they are confronted with the reality
that they have a choice. Many speak about the ‘shame’ associated with teenage pregnancy. This stigma seems to be
projected from a variety of sources, from professionals to the public. For some, the fear of being stigmatised keeps
them away from groups which may offer support. Most support is from their mothers and other family members,
though these relationships are not all supportive, and some relationships break down as a result of the birth.
Support is also received from other ‘mums to be’, midwives, Sure Start, and Connexions workers.
Not all relationships with professional workers are positive, and this can be compounded by difficult relationships
with family members. The women talk extensively about experiences of labour, which vary greatly. Whilst many
describe being a young mum as a ‘hard life’, many also talk about pregnancy and motherhood being a ‘road to
Damascus’, in which destructive lifestyles may be left behind and they realise they have to grow up fast. For some
it gave a clearer focus to their lives. For others, whilst pregnancy had brought insecurities with regard to
occupation and money, it had meant they were more securely dedicated to their partners. Many were already
planning for a future involving training, work and career, despite knowing this might have to be delayed until their
children were old enough to be looked after by someone else during working hours. Negatives associated with
being a teenage mum include unwanted changes to their bodies, and struggles finding and sustaining appropriate
accommodation. Many talked about a lack of sex education, and others of the pressure to have sex. Pressure came
from friends and partners, but also mothers and other relatives. There was some evidence that giving birth made
the young women increasingly aware of the importance of using reliable contraception.

RESULTS

The women expressed positive attitudes to being mothers and described how it had affected their lives also they
expressed the negatives sides of being a mom in an early age, they didn’t recommend it to any young woman,
because being a mom is a new step, it’s a big responsibility. You need support, you need financial budget and
stable life. For some, motherhood had been the impetus to change direction and consider a career, because they
had someone else for whom they were responsible. They recognised that they were still young enough to enter
further education or other aspects of employment as their children grew up.

CONCLUSIONS

For the women in this study, having been a teenage mother did not mean that their life and future were all over.
Motherhood and bringing up children were valued in their own right. The women were realistic about their
futures, often making plans to develop their careers. This study revealed high level of teenage pregnancy among
adolescents. A significant number of adolescent female students were at risk of facing the challenges of teenage
pregnancy in the study area. School-based reproductive health education and strong parent-daughter
relationships are recommended. The possible explanation could be that female students who have good parent-
daughter interaction may get good opportunity to have free discussion about sexuality and reproductive health
issues thereby transfer of life skill is possible to protect themselves from teenage pregnancy.

RECOMMENDATIONS
School-based reproductive health education and strong parent-daughter relationships are recommended. Special
emphasis particularly in the areas of parent-daughter communication on the issues of sexuality and reproductive
health, benefits of contraceptive use, and risk of substance use (alcohol, chat and cigarette smoking) are
recommended.

REFERENCES

 Angela Harden, professor of community and family health1, Ginny Brunton, research officer2, Adam
Fletcher, lecturer in young people’s health3, Ann Oakley, professor of sociology and social policy2
https://www.bmj.com/content/339/bmj.b4254
 BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth volume 16, Article number: 120
(2016)https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-016-0911-2
 Early motherhood: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of African Australian teenage mothers in
greater Melbourne, Australia https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566485/
 Qualitative Research on Adolescent Pregnancy: A Descriptive Review and Analysis
https://www.academia.edu/35725998/Qualitative_Research_on_Adolescent_Pregnancy_A_Descriptive_
Review_and_Analysis
 Ramiro Molina 2012 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230588265_Teenage_Pregnancy
 Teenage pregnancy and motherhood: a review of the literature
 Susan Phipps-Yonas. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 1980 Jul. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7406027/
 Teen pregnancy: Qualitative research with teenage mothershttps://www.thensmc.com/oss/research/teen-
pregnancy-qualitative-research-teenage-mothers
 Teenage Pregnancy July 2012Endocrine Development 22:302-31
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230588265_Teenage_Pregnancy
 World Health Organization(2004)
Name:Regie P. Barnayja
Age:20
Birthplace: Panabo City
Birthday: July 20 , 2001
Mother’s name: Marilyn M. Barnayja
Father’s name:Waren B. Barnayja
Civil status: Single
Religion: Catholic
Nationality: Filipino
Contact number: 09639705684

OBJECTIVES
Applying for Automotive Mechanic in your company
SKILLS

 HARDWORKING
 TRUSTWORTHY
 RESPECTFUL

EDUCATION

PRIMARY
TEOPANIS G. SERON SR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SECONDARY

NORTHERN PARAMEDICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE OF PANABO INC.