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Teenage Mothers' Perspectives, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Pregnancy and the Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in the Eastern Province of Rwanda

Overview
Journal Womens Health (Lond)
Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics
Date 2024 Dec 27
PMID 39727286
Authors
Claudine Nshutiyukuri
Fauste Uwingabire
Marie Grace Sandra Musabwasoni
Jean Bosco Rutayisire
Reverien Rutayisire
Gerard Kaberuka
Laetitia Ishimwe Bazakare
Immaculee Benimana
Leon Mutabazi
Madeleine Mukeshimana
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Background: Adolescents worldwide engage in sexual activity, with the proportion rising gradually from the middle to late stages of adolescence. The incidence of early sexual initiation among female youth in sub-Saharan Africa is reported to be 46%. The increasing number of teenage pregnancies in Rwanda indicates that adolescents do not correctly use sexual and reproductive health services. In 2019, the Eastern Province of Rwanda documented 36% of all teenage pregnancies. Despite the availability of these services to youth through adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) focal persons, nurses, or midwives leading youth corners at the Health Center level, why they are not used remains unknown.

Objectives: To explore teenage mothers' perspectives, knowledge, and attitudes toward pregnancy and the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design combined with the theory of reasoned action was used to capture teenagers' unique perspectives on knowledge about teenage pregnancy and attitudes toward ASRH service utilization. An in-depth interview was used to collect data from 25 informants across 3 districts in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, followed by traditional content analysis.

Results: Three major themes emerged, including lack of knowledge about teenage pregnancy, unfavorable attitudes toward ASRH service utilization, and the perceived negative impact of teenage pregnancy, including disrupting education, limiting career opportunities, and posing health risks to both mothers and infants.

Conclusion: While all young mothers were under pressure from the multitude of impacts of teenage pregnancy, parenthood, and social responsibilities, they had limited knowledge and selective utilization of ASRH services, mimicking potential gaps in education and mobilization of youth on available ASRH services with special emphasis on preventive components. Exploring the perceived enablers and challenges facing ASRH service utilization among the study population is necessary.

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