Factors associated with teenage pregnancies and childbearing among girls currently attending high school in South Africa.

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy and childbearing in South Africa are very common and persistent issues. Despite the different types of birth control methods that the government of South Africa has provided to the public, teenage pregnancy and childbearing at schools seems to be still a great challenge. This persistent problem implies that the children get sexually active at young ages. The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the factors associated with pregnancy and childbearing among teenage girls currently attending high school in South Africa. Secondary data drawn from the General Household Surveys (2011-2014) and 10% sample data from the 2011 South African census were used. Bivariate, and Multivariate analyses were carried in order to meet the aims of the study. The study analysed the prevalence, trends, and determinants of self-reported pregnancy as well as the extent of childbearing among teenage girls currently attending high school using data from the General Household Surveys (GHS) for the years beginning in 2011 to 2014 as well as Population Census 2011. The study is based on the assumption that there were no significant changes in the prevalence of selfreported pregnancies and in childbearing among teenage girls currently attending high school in the different periods under study.