A STUDY ON FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE OCCURANCE OF EARLY

PREGNANCY AMONG TEENAGE GIRLS IN PAIDHA TOWN COUNCIL,

ZOMBO DISTRICT

AYAT HOPE

18/U/CBD/7288/PD

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR

AWARD OF BACHELORS DEGREE OF COMMUNITY BASED
REHABILITATION OF KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

JUNE, 2022

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DECLARATION
I AYAT HOPE declare that this research work on “factors that influence occurrence of
early pregnancy among teenage girls in Zombo District” is an original work done by me
under the supervision of MR. ORECH EMMY and it has never been submitted to any
institution for any award.

Sign ………………………

AYAT HOPE

18/U/CBD/7288/PD

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APPROVAL
This is to certify that this research report by AYAT HOPE entitled “factors that influence
occurrence of early pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo
District” has been done under my supervision and is now ready for examination.

Sign…………………………………… Date……………………………

MR ORECH EMMY

(Supervisor)

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DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to my dad Mr. JAVURU CHRISTOPHER for his unfailing and
unending support and the pearl of wisdom he selflessly gave me.

I also wish to dedicate this report to my mother, siblings, relatives and friend for their
support in completing this work.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am most grateful to God Almighty, the sole provider of knowledge, wisdom, love,
mercy and grace for his protections throughout the period of the program. I sincerely
appreciate my parents Mr. JAVURU CHRISTOTHER and Ms.ASUNTA ALUNGARU,
my siblings and friends for their endless support for me to push to the end. I also
appreciate my supervisor Mr. ORECH EMMY who offered timely criticism and
corrections that led me through the various stages of this work.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION.................................................................................................................................ii
APPROVAL......................................................................................................................................iii
DEDICATION...................................................................................................................................iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.....................................................................................................................v
LIST OF ABRREVIATIONS...............................................................................................................viii
CHAPTER ONE.................................................................................................................................x
1.1 Background of the Study...........................................................................................................x
1.2 Problem Statement.................................................................................................................xii
1.3 Purpose of the Study..............................................................................................................xiii
1.4 Objectives of the Study..........................................................................................................xiii
1.5 Research Questions................................................................................................................xiii
1.6 Scope of the Study..................................................................................................................xiv
1.7 Significance of the Study........................................................................................................xiv
1.8 Limitationsto the Study..........................................................................................................xiv
1.9 Delimitations to the Study......................................................................................................xiv
1.10 Operational terms.................................................................................................................xv
CHAPTER TWO..............................................................................................................................xvi
LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................................................xvi
2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................xvi
2.2 Peer Influence on Occurrence of Early Pregnancy among Teenage Girls...............................xvi
2.3 Roles Played by Parents in Occurrence of early Pregnancy among Teenage Girls.................xvii
2.4 Teenage Girls’ Knowledge and Awareness about Reproductive Health Services.................xviii
CHAPTER THREE............................................................................................................................xx
METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................................xx
3.0. Introduction...........................................................................................................................xx
3.1. Research Design.....................................................................................................................xx
3.2. Area of the Study....................................................................................................................xx
3.3. Target Population...................................................................................................................xx

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3.4. Sampled Population..............................................................................................................xxi
3.5. Sampling Technique..............................................................................................................xxi
3.6. Research instrument.............................................................................................................xxi
3.7. Data quality control..............................................................................................................xxii
3.8. Data Collection Procedure....................................................................................................xxii
3.9. Data analysis.........................................................................................................................xxii
CHAPTER FOUR...........................................................................................................................xxiii
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS.......................................................................................................xxiii
4.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................xxiii
4.1. Results on peers influence on occurrence of pregnancies among teenage girls in Paidha
Town Council, Zombo District.....................................................................................................xxiii
4.2. Results on roles of parents in occurrence of early pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha
Town Council, Zombo District.....................................................................................................xxiv
4.3. Results on teenage girls’ knowledge and awareness about reproductive health services in
Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.........................................................................................xxvi
CHAPTER FIVE...........................................................................................................................xxviii
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................xxviii
5.0. Introduction.......................................................................................................................xxviii
5.1. Summary of the Findings...................................................................................................xxviii
5.2. Conclusion...........................................................................................................................xxix
5.2. Recommendations...............................................................................................................xxix
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................xxxi

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LIST OF ABRREVIATIONS

FAWEU Forum for African Women Educationist Uganda Chapter

HIC High Income Countries

LMIC Low and Middle Income Countries

UNICEF United Nations Children Fund

WHO World Health Organization

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of the Study

According to World Health Organization (WHO), a teenager is a person aged between
13-19 years old. Pregnancy is the term used to describe the period in which a fetus
develops inside a woman's womb or uterus. It usually lasts about 40 weeks or just over
9months as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. The United Nations
Children Fund (UNICEF) defines teenage pregnancy as “a teenage girl, usually within
the ages of 13-19 years becoming pregnant and refers to girls who have not reached legal
adulthood which varies across the world".Teenage pregnancy is mostly as a result of lack
of parental support, guidance and care, poverty, lack of knowledge about reproductive
health, peer influence, early sexual activities, limited education, unprotected sex, gender
inequality, child or forced marriage, inadequate access to services tailored to young
people.

Additionally, weak implementation of the penal code act (which criminalizes sexual
intercourse with girls below 18 years) and the Uganda National Adolescent Reproductive
Health policy by government institutions and a lack of community and social support are
some of the determinants of teenage pregnancy. Some of the complications associated
with teenage pregnancy include; preterm labor, intrauterine growth retardation and low
birth weight, neonatal death obstructed labor, genital fistula and eclampsia. Furthermore,
their reproductive health is affected by unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections,
sexual violence and limited access to medical services.

High teenage pregnancy rates are reported in both low and middle-income countries
(LMIC) as well as in high-income countries (HIC). The rates of teenage pregnancy in the
United States is among the highest (at about 24%) of the high-income countries while
more than 50% of all births occurring during adolescence are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Globally, almost 16 million girls aged 15-19 give birth every year and about 2.5 million
of these births occur to girls under 16 years in low-income countries. Complications
during pregnancy and child birth worldwide are the second leading cause of deaths for

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15-19-year-old girls, with girls below 16 years of age at a higher risk for maternal
mortality and severe morbidity in comparison with women above the age of 20 years. In
addition, birth outcomes for every young adolescent mothers are particularly poor in
terms of increased rates of low birth weights.

Although it is considered a serious public health and social problem globally,

approximately 95% occur in developing countries. Teenage girls aged between 15-19
years twice more likely to die during pregnancy and child birth to women in their
twenties. Nearly 25% of adolescent girls have got pregnant worldwide and the prevalence
of adolescent pregnancy in Africa is 18.8%of this 19.3% occurred in sub-Saharan Africa
and 21.5% in East Africa.According to the Ministry of Health, 25% of Ugandan
teenagers became pregnant by the age of 19. Close to half of this are married before their
18th birthday and continue having babies into their mid-40.

Complicated births and abortions often requiring emergency Obstetric care are all too
common among teenage adolescent girls. But many teenage mothers do not have access
to adequate reproductive health care and die while trying to give life. Uganda has one of
the world's highest maternal mortality rates, with 18 mothers dying every day in
pregnancy or during and after childbirth.The problem has further worsened by the Covid-
19 pandemic. According to the study conducted by United Nations Population Fund
indicates that since March 2020 when covid-19 hit the world, an estimated 354,736
teenage pregnancies were reported following the closure of all schools in the country for
at least eight months. An additional 290,219 cases were registered between January and
September 2021 indicating that truly the cases of teenage pregnancy were worsened by
covid-19 as the students were home for a period of 2 years.

According to the survey conducted by Forum for African Women Educationist Ugandan
Chapter (FAWEU) and partners, which was conducted in 25 districts on the impact of
Covid-19 on school going girls and young women indicated that Kampala toped all
districts with 24,059 pregnancies in girls, Wakiso came second with 21,595 cases, while
Mukono came third with 8,639 cases. Kamuli District in Eastern Uganda was ranked
fourth with 7,847 cases. Up country Districts with high teenage pregnancy rates were

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Kasese with 6,957 cases, Jinja with 6,950 cases and Mayuge with 6,648 cases among
others. This is got in " New Vision May 23rd. 2021".

The government of Ugandan has put up a number of policies that should be used to
reduce teenage pregnancy including among others; the defilement law against having sex
with a girl under 18 years, the National Adolescent Reproductive Health policy whose
main goal is to emphasize adolescent health, wellbeing and equity. The children Act
(chapter 59) that provides for the Care, Protection and Maintenance of children.

The contribution of civil society organizations includes providing basic community

health care services, advocate and campaign against teenage pregnancy. UNICEF in
collaboration with the government of Uganda is supporting the rollout of the National
Strategy of Ending Early Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy and the National Strategy on
Eliminating Violence Against children in school.

According to report obtained from the district community development officer by Paidha
FM, only 59 out of 4092 cases of teenage pregnancy were reported to police as
defilement cases in Zombo District. This according to Samuel Ochaki, the District
Community Development Officer, is an indicator that so many stakeholders in the society
are aiding the vice of early pregnancies among young girls. He notes with concern that
perpetrators of the vice are adults in the society who instead of protecting the girl child,
are instead violating their rights by defiling them. He points out that some parents are
instead in support and encouraging their young girls to go into early marriage, because it
benefits them in terms of bride price. According to the observer, Zombo District
registered a total of 5,890 cases of teenage pregnancy within 17 months. According to the
statistics from the probation officer Collins Pireri indicates that the cases were recorded
between the period of January 2020 and May 2021. He disclosed that that the victims
include girls between 14 and 17 years who are both learners and those who have dropped
out from studies. According to the statistics, 4,090 cases were registered between January
and December 2020 while 1,800 cases were registered between January and May 2021.

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1.2 Problem Statement
The teenage girls in Zombo District are so much getting pregnant and it is so much
influencing on their education and health since they are too young to handle pregnancy
related issues and this puts them at a risk of getting complications which affects their
health and others lose their lives during pregnancy and birth. This according to Unegiu
Yoningo, the District Chairperson Women Council, who says most fathers have
neglected their parental role to mothers who have triple roles in the society, therefore
making it hard for them alone to raise girl child responsibly since it needs a joint effort.
As a result of pregnancy, some of them drop out of school, others go into marriage at an
early age yet they are not prepared for it due to rejection by their parents. Therefore, there
is a need to carry out a study on the factors that influence early pregnancy of teenagers in
paidha town council, Zombo District.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to explore factors that influence occurrence of early
pregnancy among teenage girls in Zombo District.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are;

i. To find out how peers influence occurrence of pregnancies among teenage girls in
Paidhatown council, Zombo District.
ii. To analyze the roles played by parents towards occurrence of early pregnancies
among teenage girls in Paidha town council, Zombo District.
iii. To determine teenage girls’ knowledge and awareness about reproductive health
services in Paidha town council, Zombo District.

1.5 Research Questions

Thefollowingare theresearchquestions

i. How do peers influence occurrence of pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha

town council, Zombo District.

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 ii. What roles do parents play towards occurrence of early pregnancies among
teenage girls in Paidha town council, Zombo District?
iii. How knowledgeable are the teenage girls about reproductive health services in
Paidha town council, Zombo District.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study will be conducted from February 2022 to June 2022, focusing on factor that
influence occurrence of early pregnancy among teenage girls in Zombo District. The
study will be conducted in paidha town council, Zombo District.

1.7 Significance of the Study

This study will be of significance in the following ways;

i. The study will raise ideas and issues in the hope that the various stakeholders and
persons affected by issues related to teenage pregnancy will continue the
discussion.
ii. Teenagers will get better understanding on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and
its related effects.
iii. Parents will get a better understanding of teenage pregnancy and support their
teenage girls in their growth and development.

1.8 Limitations to the Study

The researcher anticipates encountering the following limitations;

i. Some respondents may take the study lightly by not giving accurate information.
ii. Some respondents may not completely turn up for the exercise.

1.9 Delimitations to the Study

The researcher will overcome the limitations by;
i. Clearly stating the reason for the study and its purpose.

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1.10 Operational terms
Teenage girl. A teenager is a person aged between 13-19 years old.

Teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20.

Reproductive health. This is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to reproductive
system and to its functions and processes.

Sex. It refers to the biological characteristics that define humans as female or male.

Sexuality. This refers to the capacity to derive pleasure from different forms of sexual
activities and behaviors particularly from sexual intercourse.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction
This chapter presents related literature that has been put up by other researchers relating
to the objectives of the study.

2.2 Peer Influence on Occurrence of Early Pregnancy among

Teenage Girls
Peer influence refers adolescents’ tendency to affect each other’s choices and decisions,
positively or negatively, directly or indirectly. Not surprisingly, peer influence, especially
for daring behaviors, becomes a more prominent motivator than parental influence on
personal decision-making at this age. Kukundakwe (2021), Peer influence is said to be
stronger during adolescence and teenage pregnancy is on the rise in secondary school
teenagers. Negative peer interactions, the timing of sexual intercourse and unhealthy teen
friendships increase the likelihood of teenage pregnancy while positive peer influence,
delayed sexual intercourse and healthy friendship decrease teenage pregnancy.

According to UBC Wiki (The University of British Columbia), peer pressure may be
prevalent in different forms. While in relationships, Adolescents may be pressured by
their partner to have unsafe and unprotected sex in order to express their love and true
feelings for their partner. The partner may manipulate the other to have unprotected sex
which leads to pregnancy. There is a pressure that suggest if you are not engaging in both
oral and sexual intercourse, the belief is that something is wrong with you and the stigma
of being a virgin is embarrassing and somehow wrong.

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A survey by secure teen, suggest that 30% of boys are pressurized by their peers to take
part in sexual activity. Every so often, it is the male peers who direct this pressure
towards other teenagers forcing them to have sex even when they are not ready. 23% of
girls feel the same kind of pressure. Boys are much more pressured to engage in sexual
activity than girls. They in turn pressurize their female peers to have sexual intercourse.

2.3 Roles Played by Parents in Occurrence of early Pregnancy

among Teenage Girls
Ukessays (2013), the feeling of comfort and security is a feeling which should always be
available between a child and his/her parents. The ages of 13 to 19 are very sensitive
years and adolescents are incredibly easily influenced. It is easy for them to fall out and
demonstrate behaviors that will negatively affect them. Parents have strong authority over
their children especially on sexual relations decisions. However, some parents do not
obtain a strong bond with their children and barely ever discuss the topic.

According to a National Campaign in 2002, 69% of students agree that it would be much
easier for kids to postpone sexual activities and avoid teenage pregnancy if they are able
to have more open, honest conversation about these topics with their parents. Some
parents do not communicate with their children and are not involved in their lives.The
study also found that overly strict parents can also be the cause of teenage pregnancy.
Many parents give commands but no opinions. Many strict families refuse to converse
with their children about sex. They simply think it is wrong and not a part of their
religion end of discussion. Completely banning such things will lead to curiosity and
promiscuity. In addition, the teens will refuse to go to their parents for advice about the
topic out of fear and will turn to friends.

Many parents are just simply distanced from their children. Some parents do not spend
enough time with their kids and refuse to listen to their children. They are not supportive
and do not engage in activities together. A distanced relation will provide the child with
lack of parental love.Single parenting is another cause of teenage pregnancy. This fact
mostly refers to girls. "I always hear all the other girls talking about how their fathers
bought this for them and did that for them. They tell me that when they want something,

xvi
they ask their fathers because men are more easily going and easily convinced. I tried to
get that love that was supposed to be provided from the father I never had, by getting a
boyfriend". For instance many single mothers go out seeking for their own pleasure by
going to clubs, bars or seeing different men. This greatly influences the girl child into
sexual activities thus teenage pregnancy.

2.4 Teenage Girls’ Knowledge and Awareness about Reproductive

Health Services
Sexual and reproductive health is a field of research, healthcare and social activism that
explores the health of an individual's reproductive system and sexual wellbeing during all
stages of their life. Reproductive Health awareness is an educational approach which is
both relevant and sensitive to many communities existing sexual and reproductive health
needs and concern.

According to a formative evaluation in Wakiso District, adolescents only visit health care
facilities when problems persist. Reasons for this poor health seeking behavior reported
included cost, privacy issues and the long queues due to very few health workers, large
populations. Some male respondents reported that the health workers were nosy who they
said ask a lot questions that made them uncomfortable. The study also shows that there
was under-the-table payment in the health service delivery. In some cases unofficially
payments were reportedly solicited which further made the service for adolescents hard to
access because majority do not have money but depend on parents/guardians. And thus
some of them resorting to seeking for help from traditional healers and using herbs and
others seek for advice from parents and peers.

Adolescents are frequently reluctant to seek sexual and reproductive health services. In
Uganda, adolescents’ health and development is constrained by lack of transportation of
the relevant policies to practice. Adolescents in Uganda have multiple sexual and
reproductive health needs that require special focus through adolescent friendly services.
This calls for resource support in terms of health provider training, information education
and communication materials.

xvii
The study also found that most adolescents do not go to the health facilities to seek
knowledge about reproductive health on grounds of lack of information about the
availability of these services at the health facilities while others feared to go to the same
facilities with the older community members and with different sex of the health workers.
It also indicated that, the few who ever went for the services reported that they did not
think they were a priority at the health facilities hence found no need to go back for
reproductive health information and services. And they also reported that the health
workers were not friendly to them and barked at them.

Other reported attitudes were non flexible opening and closing hours of facilities, lack of
necessary drugs for sexually transmitted infections and other reproductive health
problems, few health workers yet adolescents feared to open up to health workers of the
opposite sex and mistrusting of the health workers by the adolescents. Renzaho AMN,
Kamara JK, Georgeou N, Kamanga G (2017), young people's sexual and reproductive
health remains a challenge in Uganda. To address these barriers, a comprehensive and
harmonized sexual and reproductive health system that is youth friendly and takes into
account local socio-cultural contexts is urgently needed.

In this day or modernity, science, internet, mass media and liberalism, the information
and awareness regarding sex, sexuality and reproductive health is found inadequate
among the adolescents. Girl adolescent students found having far less awareness than
their male counterparts which should have been otherwise. This is the reason
reproductive health concerns women more than men for they experience menstrual cycle,
get pregnant and have to undergo abortion and miscarriages and so on. This indicates that
the load of sexual and reproductive health is more inclined towards women, but
unfortunately they are less informed about what concerns them most. (, Journal of
Psychosexual Health)

xviii
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0. Introduction
This chapter presents the methodology that will be used in the study. It includes the
research design, study population, sample size and selection procedure, instruments, Data
analysis, Data processing and presentations.

3.1. Research Design

The research will adopt qualitative approach. This is the type research dealing with
phenomenon or problems that are difficult or impossible to quantify mathematically, such
as beliefs, meanings, attributes and symbols. It aims at gathering information about how
peers influence teenage pregnancy, roles parents play in the occurrence of teenage
pregnancy and the knowledge and awareness of teenage girls about reproductive health in
Paidha town council, Zombo District.

3.2. Area of the Study

The study will be conducted in Paidha town council, Zombo District. Its geographical
coordinates are 224’57.1’’N and 30 59’14.5’’E. It is borderedby Democratic Republic of
Congo. According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Paidha town council population
projection of 1/7/2020 is 37,500. Further information about population structure indicates
that there are 18,300males and 19,200 females.

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3.3. Target Population

This is the pool from which a statistical sample is draw for easy study (Gordon, 2021).
This study will target parents, the teenagers, health workers and teachers.

3.4. Sampled Population

The study will target respondents as shown in the table below:

CATEGORIES MALE FEMALE TOTAL

2 18 20
Teenagers

Parent 2 3 5

Health workers 1 4 5

Teachers 3 2 5

3.5. Sampling Technique

The study will use purposive sampling to select participants. Teenagers, health workers,
teachers and parents will be purposely selected because they have information about
teenage pregnancy.

3.6. Research instrument

The researcher will use interview guide and questionnaires as research instrument for
data collection.

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Interview guide. This is an open-ended questions used to converse with respondents and
collect data about a subject (Adi 2021). It involves interaction between the researcher and
the respondent(s). This will be used for parents. The following are some strengths of
advantages;Interviewees have the opportunity to express and expand their ideas, feelings,
opinions, experience and attitudes concerning the research problem hence providing a
deeper understanding about the problem. They provide valid information since there is a
direct contact between the researcher and the respondent. They are flexible. They lead to
high rate of response since interviews are organized at a convenient time for the
respondents.

Questionnaires. According to Saul (2018), this refers to a research instrument consisting

of a series of questions for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. This
will be used for teachers, students and health workers. It has the following strengths; the
respondents provide information which can be easy to analyze. The questions rea
standardized meaning all respondents are asked the same questions and in the same order.
It is economical meaning that it provides a large amount of research for relatively low
cost.

3.7. Data quality control

The reliability and validity of the research instrument will be used to ensure that the data
collected is valid, relevant and retains integrity through proof reading the data collected
from the respondents. Different edits will be done to ensure precision, correctness,
accuracy and profiling.

3.8. Data Collection Procedure

The researcher will get an introduction letter from Head of department, community and
disability studies Kyambogo University to introduce her to Paidha town council where
she will be introduced to the community by the responsible person who will be involved
in the study.

xxi
The researcher will then give out the questionnaires to the responsible persons and set a
convenient date to have the interview with the interviewees.

3.9. Data analysis

This is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming and modeling data with the goal
of discovering useful information, informing conclusion and supporting decision making.
(Wikipedia 2021). This will use qualitative data analysis because it answers the questions
such as why, what or how.

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.0 Introduction.
In this chapter, results are presented in relation to the study objectives and discussed as
well based on other findings.

4.1. Results on peers influence on occurrence of pregnancies

among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.
When asked about knowledge of peer influence on pregnancies of teenage girls, most
participants are aware that peers influence teenage girls to get pregnant. One respondent
said that;

The desire to have good things which others have make the teenage girls to join
groups where they discuss how those things were got and from who. Now for the
one's whose parents cannot provide them with those good things the friends are
having end up going to men who give them the things they want and later ask for
sex in return for what they gave them thus the end result is teenage pregnancy
among the teenage girls.

xxii
 On the other hand, another participant said the peers always boast of their lovers
to them and what they do for them and as a result the other are put under pressure
and would also want to get their partners since some of them stay with their
relatives who do not care about them so they think getting a sexual partner will be
the best. Also he added that some of them are forced by the friends to practice
sexual activities which results into pregnancy.

They also revealed that their peers keep telling them that they are grown up so they don't
need to only be dependent on their parents for material things and that they should use
what they have to get what they want. So such statements make them to go to men for
money and other things and at the end have sex with the men in exchange for what they
have been given.

The findings agree with Kukundakwe (2021), who conducted a study on roles of peers in
occurrence of early pregnancy among teenage girls in Mbarara and found out those
negative peer interactions, the timing of sexual intercourse and unhealthy teen
relationship increases the likelihood of teenage pregnancy. The findings also agree with
UBC Wiki that found out that adolescents are pressured by their partners to have unsafe
and unprotected sex in order to express their love and true feelings for their partners. And
the pressure that suggests if you are not engaging in sexual intercourse, something is
wrong with you.

It was also found out that coping of lifestyle of others and the desire to have good things
among teenagers is another cause of early pregnancy since the teenagers will start to
behave in an unhealthy way in order to get these good things and fit in the life style of the
others.

4.2. Results on roles of parents in occurrence of early pregnancy

among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.
When asked about roles parents play towards occurrence of early pregnancy, participants
revealed that;

xxiii
 Some parents tend to use abusive words and language on their children which
discourage them and make them lose their self-esteem. One student said you will
find a parent telling the daughter that "you are old enough to get married and have
your own home, stop stressing me and expect me to do everything for you. Go
and get married and start to take care of your own problems”. Such statements has
led to many teenage girls getting in to unhealthy relationships thus resulting into
teenage pregnancy.

Another said some parents give out their girls to men in exchange for money. She
said "I personally went up to pakwach and recovered some ladies who were given
out by their parents to be taken for men in exchange for money and material
things that was promised to the parents of the girls". Such acts are the ones
exposing our young girls to pre-marital sex and leading to teenage pregnancy in
our community.

It was also found out that parent's neglect of family responsibility is another cause of
teenage pregnancy. Parents neglect their family responsibility and abandon the children
and they end up becoming family heads and will start to go to men for financial support
in order to take care of their other siblings and those gifts do not just come for free. The
girl child will resort to offering their bodies to the men and this results into early and
unwanted pregnancy.

Domestic violence was found out to be another cause of teenage pregnancy in teenage
girls. A student of Paidha Charity College Paidha revealed that domestic violence is a
cause of teenage pregnancy because when parents fight and have misunderstandings, it's
the children who suffer the effects. She added that domestic violence causes family
breakage and you will find a child only experiencing love from one side and will start to
get into friendship with men in order for them to get the love they did not receive from
their parents and this at the end results into pregnancy.

The study agrees with the National campaign (2002), which found out that it would be
much easier for kids to postpone sexual activities avoid teenage pregnancy if they are
able to have more open and honest conversation with their parents but this is impossible

xxiv
because many parents have neglected their family and the responsibilities. It also found
that many parents are distanced from their children and do not spend enough time with
the kids hence giving the kids chances of going out to other people to look for love and
attention. It also agrees that single parenting is another cause of teenage pregnancy. As
we all know domestic violence in most cases results into family separation and the kids
end up being raised by single parents and this leads to them only experiencing love from
one parent. In the case of girls who grow up with only their mothers will begin to want to
experience love of their father and if they cannot get that, they then resort in to getting
into relationship with men in order to feel that love that was not given to them by their
father since they believe men are easy going and easy to convince. This at the end results
into the teenagers involving in sexual intercourse with these men thus resulting into
teenage pregnancy.

The study also found out that mistreatment by parents is another cause of teenage
pregnancy. A respondent revealed that she stays with her step mother who mistreats her a
lot so she had a boyfriend who would treat her well and that's when she began to run
away from home and spend time with the boy and that them being together often they
started involving in sexual activities and that was how she got pregnant and had to drop
out of school.

4.3. Results on teenage girls’ knowledge and awareness about

reproductive health services in Paidha Town Council, Zombo
District.
When asked about the knowledge awareness of teenagers about reproductive health
services it was revealed that; “out of the 20 teenagers who participated only 3 said they
have ever visited and got services related to reproductive health” an indicator that teenage
girls are not so much knowledgeable about reproductive health services. A health worker
in Paidha Health Center revealed that, only 1-2 teenage girls come to the health center for
reproductive health services still an indication that the teenage girls are not aware and do
not have knowledge about reproductive health services.

xxv
 On the other hand a participant said that they do not go for these services because
they do not have the money to pay since these services are paid for and their
parents do not want to give them the money on grounds that it's just a waste of
time. And she added that time is not there for her to go for the service since she's
always in school and goes home late in the evening and that the free services that
are brought to the community always finds her in school so she has never gotten
time to get one. It was also found out that the non-flexible opening and closing
hours of facilities, lack of necessary drugs for reproductive health problems, few
health workers and yet teenagers feared to open up to health workers of the
opposite sex was another reason for low level of knowledge and awareness about
reproductive health services.

The findings also agree with the formative evaluation that was carried out in Wakiso
District that indicated that sometimes teenagers are asked to pay for these services and
this makes it hard for them to go for the services since they do not have money but
depend on their parents and guardians. The findings also agree that non flexible opening
and closing hours of facilities, lack of necessary drugs for reproductive health problems,
few health workers and fear of opening up to the health workers of the opposite sex is
another reason for teenage girl's reluctance in seeking for the services relating to
reproductive health.

Another participant also revealed that the few who go for the reproductive health services
misinterpret the information and use it in a wrong way. When they learn about the service
they would want to first try and put it into action and see how it works and these results
into early pregnancy among teenage girls. So because of this she does not encourage
teenagers to get services related to reproductive health.

xxvi
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0. Introduction
This chapter presents the summary, conclusion and recommendations in regards to the
findings presented in chapter four.

5.1. Summary of the Findings.

In summary findings in chapter four indicates that peers, parents and teenage girls’
knowledge and awareness about reproductive health services all influence occurrence of
early pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District as
indicated below;

The first objective of the study was to find out how peers influence the occurrence of
early pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District and the
study found out that peer influence encourage teenage girls in to getting pregnant by; the
desire to have good things, coping of life style of others, peers boasting about their love
life.

xxvii
The second objective was to analyze the roles played by parents towards the occurrence
of early pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District and the
study found out that parents encourage teenage girls in to getting pregnant by; use of
abusive words, exchanging their girls for money and material things, parent's neglect of
their responsibility, mistreatment and domestic violence.

The third objective was to determine the teenage girl's knowledge and awareness about
reproductive health services in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District and the study
found out that teenage girls have limited knowledge about reproductive health services
due to lack of funds to get the service since they were required to pay for the service, no
time to go for the service and restrictions by some parents.

5.2. Conclusion
In the view of the findings discussed above, it is hereby concluded that peers, parents and
knowledge and awareness about reproductive health services all play key roles in
occurrence of early pregnancy among teenage girls in Paidha Town Council, Zombo
District.

The role of peer groups as agents of socialization influence the teenagers’ perception
about sexuality so much that teenagers tend to conform to the norms about sexual
behaviors which are deemed acceptable to the peer group to which they belong. These
pressures may build upon a teenager as she may decide to seek for a man in order to fit in
group with their peers. The pressure has been found to significantly influence teenage
pregnancy.

From the study it can also be concluded that parental factors like use of abusive
languages, neglect of responsibilities, parents giving out their children in exchange of
wealth, single parenting and mistreatment influence early pregnancy among teenage girls
in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.

xxviii
The study also concludes that adolescents generally lack knowledge about reproductive
health services. Advocates for reproductive health services needs to develop better ways
to provide these important services to adolescents.

5.2. Recommendations
In order to reduce on the factors that influence occurrence of early pregnancy among
teenage girls, the researcher recommends that;

A comprehensive and harmonized sexual and reproductive health system that is youth
friendly should be put up in different parts of the country to ease the access to the
adolescents.

The laws that provide for Care, Protection and Maintenance of children i.e. the Children's
Act (chapter 59) should be put to practice in order to protect the children.

A nationwide awareness campaign about reproductive health services should be rolled

out in order to allow the teenagers have knowledge about reproductive health services.

The services should be made free of charge so that teenagers will find it easier to go for
the services since many cannot get them due to lack of money because they are asked to
pay for it.

Promote sexual and reproductive rights of teenagers so that they can have full control in
making decisions concerning their sexual life.

xxix
REFERENCE
1. Atuyambe, L.M, Kibira, S.P.S, Bukenya, S. et Al. Understanding Sexual and
Reproductive Health Needs of Adolescents: Evidence from a Formative Evaluation in
Wakiso District, Uganda. Reproductive Health 12, 35(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978_015_002_7.

2. Adi Bhat, 2021.

3. Gordon Scott, 2021.

4. https://simple. Wikipedia.org/ Wiki/ Teenager.

5. Karnataka Sexual Sciences Academy, 2022.

6. Kipp W,Chacko S, Laing L, Kabagambe G. Adolescent Reproductive Health in

Uganda: issues related to access and quality of car. Int J Adolescent Med Health. 2007:
1(4):383_93.

7. Kukundakwe, P.M (202). Peer Influence and Teenage Pregnancy among Adolescents
in Secondary Schools. A case Study of Mbarara Municipality, Uganda Students Journal
of Health Research Africa, 2(12), 42.

8. New vision May 23rd.2021.

9. Paidha FM, 2021.

10. Renzaho AMN, Kamara JK, Georgiou N, Kamanga G (2016), Sexual and
Reproductive Health Needs and Rights of Young People in Slum Areas of Kampala,

xxx
Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study. Pls ONE 12(1):
e0169721.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169721

11. Secure Teen, 2022.

12. UBC (The University of British Columbia) Wiki, 8 April, 2016.

13. UK Essays (November 2918). Parents Teenage Pregnancy. Retrieved from

https://www.ukessays.com/ essays/ children/ parents_teenage_ prey.php? Vref=1.

14. UNFPA. United Nations Population Fund, State of the World Population 2003:
Investing in Adolescent's Health and Rights. New UNFPA; 2003.

15. The United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF).

Dear respondents,

My name is Ayat Hope. I am a student at Kyambogo University pursuing bachelor degree

of community based rehabilitation in the faculty of special needs rehabilitation.

I kindly request you to cooperate by answering this questionnaire which is soliciting

information regarding the response of teenage pregnancy in Paidha Town Council,
Zombo District. Individual response will be taken utmost confidentiality and be used for
academic purposes.

Questionnaire for teenagers.

Background information

1. Please tell me about yourself.

Name……………………

Age

2. Have you ever heard about teenage pregnancy?

Yes.

No.

3. If yes, share your experience about teenage pregnancy.

xxxi
.........
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………….......

Peer influence on the occurrence of teenage pregnancy.

4. Have you ever heard of peer influence?

Yes.

No.

5. In your opinion, how does peer influence encourage teenage pregnancy among
teenage girls in your community?

.................................................................................

..........................

The roles of parents in the occurrence of teenage pregnancy.

6. Do you have your parents?

Yes.

No.

7. If yes, do they provide you with the support you need everyday?

...............................

8. In your opinion, how do parents encourage teenage girls in to getting pregnant?

.........................................

Teenage girl's knowledge and awareness about reproductive health.

9. Have you ever heard about reproductive health services?

Yes.

No.

10. If yes, share your experience when you visited the service center.

xxxii
.....................

11. If no, why didn't you seek for the service?

Dear respondents,

My name is Ayat Hope. I am a student at Kyambogo University pursuing bachelor degree

of community based rehabilitation in the faculty of special needs rehabilitation.

I kindly request you to cooperate by answering this interview guide which is soliciting
information regarding the response of teenage pregnancy in Paidha Town Council,
Zombo District. Individual response will be taken utmost confidentiality and be used for
academic purposes.

Structured interview guide for parents.

Background information

1. Please tell me about yourself.

Name……………….

Age.

Sex.

Role of peers in the occurrence of teenage pregnancy.

2. In your opinion, how does peer influence encourage teenage girls in to getting
pregnant?

xxxiii
.....................

Roles played by parents.

3. Do you provide your children the necessary support they need?

Yes.

No.

4. If no, why?

........................

5. In your view, what roles do parents play that encourage teenage girls in to getting
pregnant?

......................

Knowledge and awareness about reproductive health services.

6. Have you ever heard of reproductive health?

Yes.

No.

7. Do you talk to your teenage girls about reproductive health?

Yes.

No

8. If no, why?

.....................

9. In your opinion, how does knowledge and awareness about reproductive health
encourage teenage pregnancy among teenage girls in your community.

xxxiv
Dear respondents,

My name is Ayat Hope. I am a student at Kyambogo University pursuing bachelor degree

of community based rehabilitation in the faculty of special needs rehabilitation.

I kindly request you to cooperate by answering this questionnaire which is soliciting

information regarding the response of teenage pregnancy in Paidha Town Council zombo
District. Individual response will be taken utmost confidentiality and be used for
academic purposes.

Questionnaire for the Health workers.

Background information.

1. Please tell me about yourself.

Name………………

Age.

Sex.

Role of peers in the occurrence of teenage pregnancy.

2. In your view, what roles do peers play in the occurrence of teenage pregnancy?

.............................

xxxv
Roles of parents.

3. According to you, how do parents contribute to the occurrence of teenage pregnancy in

your community?

...................................................................................

Knowledge about reproductive health services.

4. How often do teenage girls come to the health center for reproductive health services?

.............................................

5. In your opinion, how does knowledge and awareness about reproductive health
contribute to teenage pregnancy in the community?

.................................................................................................................

Dear respondents,

My name is Ayat Hope. I am a student at Kyambogo University pursuing bachelor degree

of community based rehabilitation in the faculty of special needs rehabilitation.

I kindly request you to cooperate by answering this interview guide which is soliciting
information regarding the response of teenage pregnancy in Paidha Town Council,
Zombo District. Individual response will be taken utmost confidentiality and be used for
academic purposes.

Questionnaire for teachers.

Background information

1. Please tell me about yourself.

Name……………………

Age.

Sex.

Role of peers in the occurrence of teenage pregnancy.

2. In your opinion, how do peer influence encourage teenage girls in to getting pregnant?

.....

xxxvi
Roles of parents.

3. In your opinion, what roles do parents play in the occurrence of teenage pregnancy?

.........................

Knowledge and awareness about reproductive health services.

4. In your opinion, how important is reproductive health services important to teenage

girls in the community?

.............

5. In your opinion, how does knowledge and awareness about reproductive health
services contribute to teenage pregnancy in the community?

...........................

xxxvii