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Essay / Teenage pregnancy in South Africa: causes and policy changes
Table of contentsThe main causes of teenage pregnancy in the South African regionRole of drug and alcohol abuseLack of contraceptionAbuse of nature sexualChildhood environmentRecommendations on the issue of having a related policyThe right to continue School attendanceCertificate of good healthMaking a report to the policeConsequences of teenage pregnancyConclusionReferencesTeenage pregnancy is one of the most famous essay topics According to the WHO, adolescent pregnancy, also known as teenage pregnancy, is pregnancy in a girl under 20 years of age. after the start of ovulation, which can occur before the first period (menarche), but more often after the start of the period. The first period normally occurs around the age of 12 or 13 in well-nourished girls. Exploring the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to teen pregnancy are crucial topics for an insightful essay on this pressing social issue. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Adolescent pregnancy is still prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). It plays an important role in maternal and child morbidity and mortality. It also has social effects, such as the continuation of the cycle of poverty, including early school dropout among pregnant adolescents, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Little research in SSA has examined trends in adolescent pregnancy and the factors that influence them, despite the fact that this information is crucial to fully understanding adolescent pregnancy and promoting adolescent reproductive health in general in ASS. The main causes of teenage pregnancy in South AfricaRole of drug and alcohol abuseAlcohol and medications that reduce inhibition can increase unplanned sex. If so, it's unclear whether the drugs themselves cause young people to engage in riskier behaviors or whether drug users are more likely to have sex. Correlation is not the same as causation. Alcohol, cannabis, “ecstasy” and other amphetamine substitutes are the drugs for which there is the most evidence linking them to teenage pregnancy. Opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone, have the least evidence of a link to early pregnancy. Despite the fact that one of their well-known effects is a significant reduction in libido, it appears that adolescent opioid users have significantly lower effects. conception rates than those who do not use it, and those who use alcohol, “ecstasy”, cannabis and amphetamines. The practitioner faces a major challenge when it comes to contraception for adolescent girls. In 1998, the government set a goal of halving the pregnancy rate of under-18s by 2010. To achieve this, the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (TPS) was created. Although still declining, the pregnancy rate in this category increased somewhat in 2007, reaching 41.7 per 1,000 women. Young women generally associate contraception with “the pill” or condoms and are unaware of other options. Negative, second-hand stories about birth control methods, from friends and the media, have agreat influence on them. It is incredibly difficult to overcome prejudice. Concerns about side effects, such as weight gain and acne, can often influence a person's decision. It is not uncommon to miss up to three medications per day. The month is common and the figure is probably higher in this age group. Starting again after a week without pills, hiding medications, drug interactions, and difficulty obtaining repeat prescriptions are all factors that can lead to method failure. Sexual abuse According to South African studies, rape is the cause of 11 to 20% of adolescents. pregnancies, and more than 60% of teenage mothers had unwanted sexual experiences before their pregnancy. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 60% of girls who had sex before the age of 15 were coerced by men who were on average six years older than them. One in five teenage fathers have admitted to forcing their daughters to have sex with them. Many studies in developed countries have established a clear link between early childhood sexual abuse and possible teenage pregnancy. Women who gave birth as teenagers were abused up to 70% of the time, while women who did not give birth as teenagers were abused only 25% of the time.Childhood environmentGirls who have been exposed to abuse, domestic or family violence. because children are more likely to become pregnant in adolescence, and the likelihood of becoming pregnant in adolescence increases with the number of adverse childhood experiences. A 2004 study found that reducing exposure to abuse, violence and family instability could prevent a third of teen pregnancies. "Family dysfunction has long-term negative consequences on women's health during their adolescent, childbearing, and postpartum years," the researchers write. When there is no supportive family atmosphere in Absence of adverse childhood experiences, becoming pregnant as a teenager does not appear to increase the risk of long-term psychological repercussions, studies show, boys raised in families with abusive mothers or who were directly victimized. of physical violence are also much more likely to impregnate a girl.Recommendations on the issue of having a related policyThe right to continue attending schoolThe policy prohibits schools from excluding students because of their pregnancy, among other reasons. The policy specifically recognizes the right of a pregnant learner to attend school during pregnancy and to return as soon as possible after delivery, provided that it is safe for the learner and her child. Certificate of good health Students must produce a medical certificate demonstrating that they are healthy enough to attend school. Students who are more than six months pregnant will be asked to produce a medical certificate indicating the status of their pregnancy and an approximate due date in order to facilitate the use of these privileges. In addition, if a pregnant student wishes to remain in school after eight months, she must submit medical reports to her designated educator or school principal attesting that it is safe for her to continue her studies. If a student does not submit the certificate, they may be asked to take a leave of absence until they do so. The student presented him with medical information. Make a report to the police If a pregnant girl is under 16 years old and the child's father is over 16 years old, the policy states that schools must report to the police department. police. 7 (7), 9749-9752, 2019.