Psychosocial experiences of early childbearing among teenagers in Zomba district, Malawi
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Date
2021-04-01
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Abstract
Teenage childbearing in Malawi is very high (29%), and socioeconomically burdensome, with Zomba having a higher rate than the national average (34.9%). A review of literature for Malawi revealed that little was yet known about the psychosocial experiences of teenage childbearing, yet most of the teen marriages and pregnancies are occurring in this region and Zomba in particular. This study explored psychosocial experiences of early childbearing. This was an explorative descriptive qualitative study. The target population was 13-19-year-olds living in Zomba District. A purposive sample of 16 teenagers (pregnant and parenting), was recruited comprising of 8 males and 8 females. Data were collected through audio-recorded face to face in-depth interviews using an interview guide. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results revealed that teenagers’ experience emotional trauma that included embarrassment, regrets, fear of parental reprimand, depression, emotional shock, and parental verbal abuse. They suffer social injustices like stigma, discrimination and rejection from parents; peers and community members. Corporal punishment and support withdrawal was part of the social problems. The study recommends that teenagers be equipped with sexual and reproductive health life skills so they can delay pregnancy; SRH policies should address gaps to ensure reproductive health services respond adequately to teenagers’ psychosocial needs. Extensive research is required to focus on both couples & single teen parents; parents of teens that are experiencing or experienced childbearing and on psychosocial experiences of health workers as they manage teen parents. These findings highlight psychosocial challenges experienced by childbearing teenagers. Childbearing teenagers require quality comprehensive psychosocial services.