DEDICATION
•
My parents:
Thank you for your unconditional support with my studies. I am
honoured to have you as my parents. Thank you for giving me a
chance to prove and improve myself through all my walks of life.
Please do not ever change. I love you.
•
My family:
Thank you for believing in me; for allowing me to further my
studies. Please do not ever doubt my dedication and love for you.
•
My brother:
Hoping that with this research I have proven to you that there is no
mountain higher as long as God is on our side. Hoping that you
will walk again and be able to fulfil your dreams.
i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
•
I thank Almighty God for giving me the courage and the determination, as well as
guidance in conducting this research study, despite all difficulties.
•
I wish to extend my utmost gratitude to all the research participants for their
wonderful participation and cooperation.
•
I would like to express my gratitude to Philisiwe Gumbi, Ouma, and Warren, for
typing and Dr. C H van der Linde for editing my research.
•
I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisors, professors Marie Poggenpoel
and Chris Myburgh. You were so wonderful to me. You made me believe that I had
so much strength and courage to persevere even when I felt lost. You showed me
light in a tunnel where everything was dark. You were very tolerant and determined
to see me through. You were such wonderful motivators even when the coping
seemed tough for me. I aspire to emulate you.
•
Finally, I thank all those who assisted, encouraged and supported me during this
research, be assured that the Lord will bless you all for the contributions you made.
ii
ABSTRACT
The number of adolescents who become pregnant each year has, for the past two decades,
been a topic of serious concern among international education and health professionals.
The Department of Education established a new policy that allows adolescents to pursue
their studies during pregnancy. This policy frustrated parents and educators because it
interfered with social norms and values. It also puts pregnant adolescents’ lives at risk
(Mwamwenda, 1996: 206).
The pregnant adolescent finds herself in the midst of a multifaceted crisis situation which
is characterised by the emotional and physical reality of pregnancy. She also faces the
interruption of normal physiological development, a possible change in educational and
career pursuit as well as parental kinship support, an increase in medical risks during
pregnancy, and the premature assumption of the adult role with its associated
responsibilities. The shock of an unwanted pregnancy can be emotionally traumatic for
the adolescent. Some receive emotional support from their close family members, others
do not. In the absence of emotional support, the pregnant adolescent may experience
increased anxiety and frustration, while others may develop depression. Together with
middle-aged childbearing women, adolescents are viewed as a high risk maternity
population. Complications such as high blood pressure, toxaemia, anemia and cardiac and
other physiological conditions may develop, endangering the life of the adolescent
(Bodak & Jensen, 1984: 938)
The researcher’s curiosity about adolescent pregnancy was raised when she studied the
statistics of adolescent pregnancy between 2000 and 2003, at the local clinic in Duduza.
She realised that more adolescents are becoming pregnant every year. She decided to
conduct research about adolescent pregnancy. The intention was to explore and describe
the experience of adolescents during pregnancy at Duduza Location and to determine
guidelines for educators, parents and health workers to support adolescents during
pregnancy. She also intended to make recommendations for parents, educators and health
workers on how pregnant adolescents can be supported.
iii
This research was aimed at describing and exploring the experiences of adolescents
during pregnancy. This research was qualitative in nature. The sample was taken from
pregnant adolescents in a township. Data gathering methods used in this research were
individual interviews and observations. The observation for this study was conducted by
the researcher at the local clinic and individual homes. A total of ten interviews were
conducted and all of them were transcribed and edited. The participants had to comment
on their experiences during pregnancy. These ten interviews formed the basis of this
study to facilitate the attainment of the primary objectives which were to explore and
describe the experiences of adolescents during pregnancy.
The data from these interviews were analysed by using an open coding method. An
independent coder did an analysis independent from the researcher. A consensus
validation discussion was held with the independent coder on the analyses of the data.
The detailed discussion of results obtained from the interviews and observations were
presented in verbatim quotes, descriptive and reflective notes and illustration of emergent
themes and categories.
Rigor and adequacy were ensured by the data collected and the results obtained from the
data analysis indicated convergence and saturation. The measures of trustworthiness, that
is, credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability, were applied throughout
the study.
Ethical considerations were addressed in the assent letters which were presented to the
participants. Ethical considerations included the preserving of anonymity, confidentiality,
and the ethical role of the researcher that had to be adhered to.
The research results indicated that adolescent pregnancy has psychological effects on the
adolescent and there is insufficient support from significant others when they find out
that the adolescent girl is pregnant. The guidelines for parents, educators and health
workers to support adolescents during pregnancy were formulated and recommendations
discussed.
iv
ABSTRACT
Ukukhulelwa kwentsha kuyindabamlonyeni kwabezempilo kanye nabezemfundo,
eminyakeni eyevile emashumini amabili. Abezemfundo bahlele umgomo wokuthi intsha
ekhulelwe ivunyelwe ukuqhubeka nezifundo zayo. Lomgomo wakhahlameza abazali
nothisha ngoba uphambene nendlela yempilo yabantu bakuleli futhi ubeka impilo yentsha
ekhulelwe esicengeni (Mwamwenda, 1996:206).
Ukukhulelwa kwentsha kudala ukuphazamiseka ekukhuleni komzimba, komqondo,
ukuphazamiseka kokufunda, ukuntuleka kwamathuba emisebenzi, nokuba sesicengeni
kwempilo yabo. Ukukhulelwa kwentsha kungumshopi entsheni.
Abanye bathola ukusekelwa imindeni yabo, kanti abanye abakutholi. Ngenxa
yokungasekelwa ,intsha igcina isizibophela uzungu lokuzibulala. Intsha kanye
nabesimame beminyaka eyevile kwamashumi amabili impilo yabo ibekeka esicengeni
ngenxa yokukhulelwa. Izinkinga ezifana ne-high blood pressure, Toxeania, Anaemia,
Lardiac, kanye nokunye ukukhahlamezeka komzimba kuyaqubuka bese kubeka impilo
yentsha esicengeni (Bodak & Jensen 1984:938).
Imbangela yokuthi ngihlolisise isimo sentsha ekhulelwa ngaphambi kwesikhathi
ibangelwe ngumlando wentsha ekhulelwe kusukela ngonyaka ka 2000 ukuya ku 2003,
emtholampilo waselokishini . Ngabona ukuthi intsha eningi iyakhulelwa unyaka
nonyaka. Ngaqala ukuhlola ngentsha ngenjongo yokuhlola futhi ngichaze ngezimo intsha
ekhulelwe ezithola ikuyo uma isikhulelwe elokishini laseDuduza. Enye injongo yaba
ukuthi ngihlele indlela yokunakekela intsha ekhulelwe, ukunceda abezemfundo, abazali
kanye nabezempilo. Futhi ngihlele imibono yokunakekela nokusekela intsha ekhulelwe.
Indalo yalesisifundo ubuciko obuyinqayizivele. Uhlobo lwabantu abakhethelwe lesifundo
intsha
ekhulelwe.
Indlela
yokuthola
ulwazi
kulesifundo
bekungukusebenzisa
inkulumompikiswano kanye nokuhlolisisa izimo zempilo ezahlukene. Lenhlalo kanye
nenkulumo mpikiswano amahlandla ayishumi yase ibhalwa phansi futhi ihlolwa.
v
Intsha ekhulelwe ixoxa kabanzi ngezingqinamba ezibhekene nazo uma zikhulelwe.
Lenkulumo mpikiswano yakhe isisekelo salesimfundo ukuze kutholakale injongo
yalesisifundo obekungukuhlola kanye nokuchaza izimo zempilo zentsha ekhulelwe.
Ulwazi olutholakele ngenkulumo mpikiswano ehlaziywe nge Open Coding Method,
ihlolisiswe
yi-Indipendent
Coder
kanye
nomcwaningi
walesisifundo.
Kwase
kuvunyelwana. Imiphumela yenkulumo mpikiswano yakhe izihloko ezahlukene
kucikelelwe ukuthi ulwazi olutholakele oluphelele nolanele kulesisifundo. Kuhloliwe
ukuthi lesisifundo sineqiniso futhi siyiqiniso. Imigomo yokuhlolisiswa kanye
nokuhlonishwa kwamalungelo entsha ekhulelwe kwenziwe, kanti futhi nezincwadi
zokubacela ukuthi babuzwe imibuzo zenziwe, zanikwa intsha ekhulelwe.
Lesisifundo siveze obala ukuphazamiseka komqondo okwenziwa ukukhulelwa entsheni.
Kanye nokungatholi ukuxhaswa okwanele uma intsha ikhulelwe ebazalini kanye
nasemasokeni abo. Indlela engcono yokusekela kanye nokuxhasa intsha uma ikhulelwe
indlaliwe ukuze incede abazali, abezemfundo kanyenabezempilo.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER 1: RATIONALE AND OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1
1.2 RATIONALE AND OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
1–2
1.2.1 Factors leading to adolescent pregnancy
3
1.2.1.1 Home conditions of the unmarried mother
3
1.2.1.2 Early independence
3-4
1.2.1.3 Lack of information
4
1.2.1.4 Problem solving behaviour
4
1.2.1.5 Peer group influence
4
1.2.1.6 Poor self-image
5
1.2.1.7 Influence of the media
5
1.2.1.8 Attitude of the community
5-6
1.2.1.9 Loneliness
6
1.2.1.10 Low education level
6
1.2.1.11 Contraceptive
6-7
1.2.2 Consequences of adolescent pregnancy
7
1.2.2.1 For the biological mother
7-9
1.2.2.2 For the biological father
9-10
1.2.2.3 For the baby
10-11
1.2.2.4 For the family of the biological mother and father
11-12
1.2.2.5 For the society
12-13
1.2.3 Outcomes of adolescent
13
1.2.3.1 Abortion – termination of pregnancy
13-14
1.2.3.2 Abandoned babies
14
1.2.3.3 Neglect and maltreatment
14-15
1.2.3.4 Mortality and disease profile
15
vii
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT
15-16
1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
16
1.5 PARADIGMATIC PERSPECTIVE
16
1.5.1 Meta-theoretical assumptions
16-17
1.5.2 Theoretical assumptions
18-19
1.5.3 Definition of concepts
19
1.5.4 Methodological assumptions
20
1.6 RESEARCH DESIGN
20
1.7 RESEARCH METHOD
20
1.7.1 Phase one: Exploring and describing experiences of adolescents during
pregnancy in the Duduza Location
21
1.7.1.1 Data collection and data analysis
21
1.7.1.2 Literature control
21
1.7.2 Phase two: guidelines derived from phase one to support adolescents
during pregnancy
21
1.8 CONCLUSIONS, LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
22
1.9 DIVISION OF CHAPTERS
22
1.10 SUMMARY
22
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD
2.1 INTRODUCTION
23
2.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
23
2.3 RESEARCH DESIGN
23
2.3.1 Qualitative research
23-24
2.3.2 Explorative research
24
2.3.3 Descriptive research
24-25
2.3.4 Contextual research
25
2.4 RESEARCH METHOD
25
2.4.1 Ethical measures
26
24.2 Trustworthiness
27
viii
2.4.2.1 Credibility
27
2.4.2.2 Transferability
29
2.4.2.3 Dependability
30
2.4.2.4 Confirmability
31
2.5 PHASE 1: EXPLORING AND DESCRIBING ADOLESCENT’
EXPERIENCES DURING PREGNANCY IN DUDUZA
LOCATION
32
2.5.1 Population and sampling
32
2.5.1.1 Sampling criteria
33
2.5.1.2 Sample size
33
2.5.2 Data collection
33-34
2.5.3 Data analysis
34-35
2.5.4 Literature control
35
2.6 PHASE 2: DESCRIPTION OF GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT
ADOLESCENTS DURING PREGNANCY
36
2.6.1 Data collection
36
2.6.2 Data analysis
36
2.7 CONCLUSION
36
CHAPTER 3: EXPERIENCES OF ADOLESCENTS DURING PREGNANCY
IN DUDUZA LOCATION
3.1 INTRODUCTION
37
3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE
37
3.3 DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS
37-38
3.3.1 Summary of the findings, themes and categories of adolescents’
experiences during pregnancy in Duduza Location
38-39
3.3.2 Psychological effects of being pregnant
39-41
3.3.3 Anxiety about the disclosure of pregnancy
41-43
3.3.4 Anxiety about physical changes that are caused by pregnancy
43-44
3.3.5 Anxiety about future plans
44-46
ix
3.3.6 Insufficient support from significant others
46-48
3.4 Conclusions about the research findings
49
CHAPTER 4: GUIDELINES, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUPPORTING
PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS, LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
AND CONCLUSIONS
4.1 INTRODUCTIONS
50
4.2 GUIDELINES TO SUPPORT PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS
50
4.2.1 Improve the psychological well-being of pregnant adolescents
50-52
4.2.2 Sexuality education
52-53
4.2.3 Education about physical and emotional changes
53-54
4.2.4 Information about the future
54-55
4.2.5 Need for a support structure
55
4.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
55-56
4.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
56-57
4.5 CONCLUSIONS
57
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY
58-61
ANNEXURES
ANNEXURE 1: CLEARANCE LETTER FROM ETHICS COMMITTEE
ANNEXURE 2: LETTER OF CONSENT
ANNEXURE 3: LETTER FOR THE INDEPENDENT CODER
ANNEXURE 4: EXAMPLE OF AN EXCERPT FROM AN INTERVIEW
x
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 3.1:
Themes and categories of adolescents’ experiences during
pregnancy in Duduza Location
xi
37-38