TEENAGE PREGNANCY:

CAUSES AND EFECTS

THE CASE OF THE NORTH WEST
REGION OF CAMEROON

FRANCIS MBAH TAKWI PH.D

GWEH DAMARIS MAGHO (ICTU2111015)
AND
BUMA FONGOD

ICT- UNIVERSITY
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON

FEBRUARY, 2020

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ABSTRACT

This study is carried out to know the causes and effects of teenage pregnancy in North
West Region of Cameroon, case study of Bamessing-Ndop. Teenage pregnancy is a situation
which involves female adolescents. A teenage female is a female between the ages 9 and 19
years. It has been a worldwide issue and has raised numbers of campaigns and awareness to
lessen its continuity. Therefore, this work will also bring out measures to prevent teenage
pregnancy. A target population of 30 teenage females from the rural area of Bamessing-Ndop
who were either currently pregnant or had been pregnant teenagers sometimes ago, were
sampled through the snowballing sampling technique from two selected communities in the
study area.

In this study, the researcher used qualitative research design and interview schedule
methods. Qualitative research is the “Development of concepts which help us to understand
social phenomena in natural (rather than experimental) settings, giving due emphasis to the
meanings, experiences and views of the participants. The researcher used open-ended
interview schedule to answer the study aims and research question. Open-ended interview
questions were developed and the developed interview questions were used to interview the
people of Bamessing-Ndop.

Most teenagers with the unplanned pregnancy are at a greater risk especially those that
live in low socioeconomic statuses, and those with the family that has a history of teenage
pregnancies, and those who experienced abuse. Teenagers who dropped out of school early
due to lack of financial support are at a greater risk of them getting pregnant. Furthermore,
health risks that are involved during pregnant among teenager are; stillbirth, low birth weight,
risk of dying in the few months of life and the risks of the increase in young maternal age.

Some recommendations were made to the government to come up with some

sensitization programs in order to create awareness on the effects on teenagers if they engage
themselves in sexual activities. Equally, the government should start to reach out to orphans
and vulnerable in the society.

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 1. INTRODUCTION

“Teenage pregnancy is a term used to refer to girls who get pregnant before attaining the
age of twenty (20) years old. Therefore, teenage pregnancy can be defined as any pregnancy
that is from a girl who is within the ages of thirteen (13) to nineteen (19) years old,” (World
Health Organization, 2017).

The north and south west region of Cameroon from 2016 up to date is having high
rate of teenage pregnancies, due to the Anglophone crisis, that have hindered education for
the past years. About 55 percent of teenagers are involved into prostitution, drugs addict and
other unbearable behaviour that has an impact on their lives. Teenage pregnancies are
worldwide economic, social and health problem that occur in communities and countries that
are facing economic issues and poor educational policies and also a public health issue that
can be able to bring down the mortality rate to low levels and the life expectancy at birth to
soar to very high levels.

The World health organization says teenage pregnancies constitute a serious health and social
problems worldwide, with most of them occurring in low-and middle-income countries. It is
influenced by society, and society by public health. A range of social and economic factors
have created a distinct group in most societies, who are no longer children and not yet adults
known as adolescence. It is considered as a period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
It is characterized by rapid physical growth, significant physical, emotional, psychological
and spiritual changes. Adolescents are classified as Early adolescence (10 -13yrs) a spurt of
growth of development of secondary sex characteristics, Middle adolescence (14-16yrs)
separate identity from parents, new relationship to peer groups, with opposite sex and desire
for experimentation and Late adolescence (17-19yrs) with distinct identity, well-formed
opinion and ideas. The importance of society lies in the fact that it controls and regulates the
behaviour of the individual both by law and customs. Many teenage girls face considerable
peer and parental pressure to marry early and become mothers while they are still teens
especially among traditional settings that are ruled or organized by customs and practices that
disadvantage the girl child, for example early marriages are so common in Bamessing , most
parents are farmers and don’t really have that finances to educate their girl children, so the
best they can do is to send them into early marriages, since they believe that a woman place is
in the kitchen.

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 The main causes of teenage pregnancy in Bamessing-Ndop are issues such as their
culture, both on male/ female roles, ethnic discrimination, poverty, unemployment, and
educational opportunities. The increase in teenage pregnancy is mainly due to lack of
information and education on the physiology of the female body and its development
including the inability of parents to educate and inform their children on sexual issues and
family planning as they shy away from this responsibility due to traditional beliefs that it’s a
taboo. Teens lack the knowledge on and access to health care services especially the
availability of family planning services in adolescent health because young girls are denied
the right to decide on their own sexual and reproductive health and well-being.

Teenage pregnancy has been an old problem face by the people of Bamessing, but
during this few years of crisis in this region, it has been a call for concern. The rate of
teenage pregnancy has increased in this community and it is important to find out the cause of
the increase. Early sexual intercourse initiation has been associated with an increased risk of
having multiple lifetime sexual partners, unprotected sex, acquiring sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancy and undesirable sexual outcomes, such as problems
with orgasm and sexual arousal. In addition, recent studies have found that early sexual
intercourse is associated with depression and low self-esteem. In light of the risks associated
with early sexual intercourse initiation, the understanding of its determinants may contribute
to the development and improvement of prevention and intervention strategies and policies
aiming to improve adolescents’ sexual health

A community is a group of individuals and families living together in a defined geographic

area, usually comprising a village, town or city and functions within a particular social
structure and exhibits and creates certain norms, values, and social institutions. Ndop-
bamessing is a poor low-income area with high level of illiteracy. Most of the people of
Ndop-Bamessing depend on farming and because of the Anglophone crisis in the north west,
it has actually cripple the activities of this great community and left them with nothing but
with pains, their young teenagers became frustrated and engaged themselves into different
activities. Pregnancy now becomes very rampant in the area.

It is to this effect that the government is trying to find ways and means of reducing the
number of teenage pregnancies and to bring an end to the crisis in these two regions in
Cameroon, through knowing the causes and effects which this study may be a key to find
answers to this problem.

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

This research is aim at finding solutions for the causes and effect of teenage pregnancy
in the north west region case study Ndop-Bamessing . Underemployment is high in the North
West region and only few people benefited from it. Most of those that do not benefit from
formal employment concentrate on farming, selling different types of products and second
hand goods or they undertake piece works where they can just to have something at the end
of the day (hand to mouth). In Ndop-Bamessing teenage pregnancy has become the main
concern nowadays, as teenagers get unintended pregnancies whilst others get married before
they are actually biologically and physically matured. The above information is important to
find ways of mitigating teenage pregnancy among teens, because it has a great effect on the
individual, family and society at large. This will further reduce the number of deaths among
teenage girls during pregnancy, whilst increasing in the number of educated teenage girls in
the compound. And when a lot of girls are educated, this will benefit the people of Ndop-
Bamessing as well as the country as a whole, especially in terms of economic stability as the
population growth levels will slow down.

In the light of this topic, this research intends to achieve its aim by answering the
following questions; what are the causes of teenage pregnancy in Ndop-bamessing ? what are
the effects of teenage pregnancy in Ndop-bamessing? and finally, to what extent has teenage
pregnancy affected the life of individuals, the family and the community at large?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important because it will enable the people of Ndop-bamessing to know
what has really been happening in their community among its teens, and equally creat
awareness for parents to educate their teens on the dangers of sex, and educate them on things
they are not supposed to do whilst in their teenage stage. By doing so, there will be a
reduction in the levels of teenage pregnancy in Ndop-Bamessing among its teenagers. And
hence, a number of deaths among teenage girls during pregnancy will also be reduced, whilst
increasing in the number of educated teenage girls in the community. And when a lot of girls
are educated, this will benefit the society as well as the country as a whole, especially in
terms of its economy.

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 This study is also relevant in that it’s going to help in reducing the levels of social and
economic problems in the country as a whole. When the levels of teenage pregnancy in the
country reduces, the country's rapid population growth also slows down and hence the
country's economy also stabilizes enabling the country to provide goods and services to its
people and invest its revenue in programs or projects that can enhance more income in a
country

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study was limited to determine the cause and effect of teenage pregnancy in the North
West region, Ndop-Bamessing; also time given for this work was so limited, to really carry
out a full research, it could have been more of help, if two or three regions were included.
Other limitations are diversion of information that is respondents start telling their problems
and not answering the questions. And equally other limitation is that some people were too
busy and some very ashamed of themselves to talk about their issues.

2. METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH DESIGN

According to Muhammad Yousaf (2019) a research design is a systematic approach that a

researcher uses to conduct a scientific study. It is the overall synchronization of identified
components and data resulting in a plausible outcome. To conclusively come up with an
authentic and accurate result, the research design should follow a strategic methodology, in
line with the type of research chosen. Qualitative research design is exploratory in nature as it
tries to explore not predict the outcome. It seeks to answer the questions what and how. A
qualitative research design is used to explore the meaning and understanding of complex
social environments, like the nature of people’s experience, using case studies. A good
research design is characterized by its flexibility, efficiency, appropriateness etcetera. A
research design is one that has little to no error.

Adi Bhat (2019) defines a research design as a framework of methods and techniques
chosen by a researcher to combine various components of research in a reasonably logical
manner so that research problem is efficiently handled. It provides insights about “how” to

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conduct research using a particular methodology. They include: data collection, data analysis,
and report writing. Madrigal and McClain (2012) argue that data from qualitative studies can
provide the details about human behavior, emotions and personality characteristics that
quantitative studies cannot match. Qualitative research is suitable for this study as researcher
can understand human behavior in a naturalistic observation. Through structured interviews.

This research employed purposive approach to gather all the information it suited the
purpose of the study which mainly focused on the particular entity. A sampling technique
refers to the statistical and research means used to arrive at the sample size. It is the strategy a
researcher adopts in order to arrive at a good representativeness of the population.

A non-probability sampling method was used to obtain information from the people of Linda
compound. From all the types of non-probability sampling method, a purposive (judgmental)
sampling method was used. Purposive method made it possible for the researcher to interview
people of Linda compound respectively. This was done by asking them interview question on
what they thought were the causes and effects of teenage pregnancy in their compound and
the society at large.

SAMPLING

According to Creswell (2008), a sample size is the number of participants selected for a
study. This research used a purposive method in selecting the respondents respectively. And
the sample size of 30 people was used by the researcher The researcher interviewed females
only because, they are the most affected ones when it comes to pregnancy (i.e. death,
operations during birth, incompletion of school and so forth), while men do not pass through
these challenges.

DATA COLLECTION

The study used open-ended interview schedule as a tool to allow respondents to include
more information, including feelings, attitudes and understanding of the subject further
allowing the researcher to better access the respondents’ true feelings on the issue. The
interviews will be based on both the primary and secondary data sources using a semi
structured in depth interviews consisting of a dialogue between researcher and respondent
guided by a flexible interview protocol and supplemented by follow-up questions, probes and
comments.

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This method allows the researcher to set the ball rolling and use the list of questions to guide
the interview (Dejonckheere and Vaughn 2018). Open-ended interviews provide the
researcher complete explanations which can lead the interviewer in new directions, letting
them see perspectives and opportunities they did not consider before. Open-ended questions
may yield more candid information and unique insight for researchers as respondents may
find them less threatening than scaled questions. The respondents are also not faced with a
selection of answer but answer according to what they know and able to reflect on what they
have to answer. The respondents need to be respected and the researcher non-judgmental to
enable them feel secure and allow the development of trust between the researcher and the
respondent making it conducive for both to freely interact.

Audio, video and digital recordings of research participants are considered identifiable data
as they include images and voices of research participants. Recording enables the researcher
to go back after the fact to see if there is anything missed and to improve the interview.

CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEWS

This involves asking questions, listening to and recording answers from an individual or
group on a structured, semi-structured or unstructured format in an in-depth manner (Tilahun
Nigatu 2009) Preparations has to be made to conduct interviews in a setting with less
distractions for the comfort of both the interviewer and respondent such as their own homes.
The researcher must have good communication skills so as to communicate the purpose of
the interview effectively as semi-structured interview needs experience and skill to create
balance between listening and focus on questions. The researcher will explain that open-
ended questions is where respondents are free to choose how to answer the questions. The
interviews will be conducted by first asking simple general questions or some facts in order
to easily engage the respondents in the interview before touching personal matters and the
interviewer must attempt to remain as neutral as possible. Respondents should be encouraged
to respond with occasional nods of the head and not to lose control of the interview but to be
focused. This process will be followed with each interview informing the next until saturation
is achieved. Whilst this approach is intensive it will allow the researcher to develop the
interview schedule to answer the research question (Silverman 2011).

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3. RESULTS AND FINDINGS

Teenage pregnancy have a lot of effect on the teenagers, parents, society and the world a
large. It has consequences as school dropout, prostitution, financial instability to take care of
herself and the baby, backwardness, and in some cases late marriage or unmarried.

“Teenage pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal, and child mortality, and to
intergenerational cycles of ill-health and poverty. In most case, pregnancy and childbirth
complications are the leading cause of death among teenagers in each and every country,
more especially girls who are fifteen to nineteen years old globally. Where in low and
middle-income countries it accounts for ninety-nine (99) percent of global maternal deaths of
women" (World Health Organization, 2018).

Most teenagers with the unplanned pregnancy are at a greater risk especially those that
live in low socioeconomic statuses, and those with the family that has a history of teenage
pregnancies, and those who experienced abuse. Teenagers who dropped out of school early
due to lack of financial support are at a greater risk of them getting pregnant. Furthermore,
health risks that are involved during pregnant among teenager are; stillbirth, low birth weight,
risk of dying in the few months of life and the risks of the increase in young maternal age.

"Where employment opportunities for girls are scarce, marriage can be an option to secure a
girl's future, since marriage becomes a way to improve a woman's economic situation and
social status. Young people described poverty as an impetus for having children as a source
of income.

Teenage pregnancy is a crisis affecting the individual, community and society at large as well
as resources of the community in so many ways such as lack of education and financial
security, mental, emotional and physical immaturity. Despite the numerous elements that can
influence teen pregnancy, for many teenagers, the lack of safe sex education from schools
that are supposed to teach teens birth control methods and how to avoid peer pressure sexual
indulgence and parents are the root cause of teenage pregnancy.

Many countries include comprehensive sex education in school curriculum to help teens
avoid unwanted pregnancies through abstinence and practicing safer sex. The main effects of
teenage pregnancy include low-birth weight babies and premature births, pre-eclampsia,
divorces resulting from early marriages, abortions, depression and suicidal ideation.

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4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

Teenage pregnancies are still a major health concern in Ndop-Bamessing , Cameroon and
elsewhere in the world. The increase in the number is causing a great concern and it has been
coming a critical issue. social and economic problem that is associated with social exclusion
which leads to school dropout among teenagers, loss of school interest, economic burden,
death, operation and abortions, STDs, increase number of street kids and rejections from
those responsible as well as early marriage.

It can therefore be concluded that teenage pregnancy is not a good thing that has to happen to
teenagers at a tender age as it comes in with many outcomes and problems. And these
problems do not only affect the disadvantaged teenager but also the family members or
guardians as well as the society as a whole.

It can also be concluded that teenage pregnancy is not something that comes out of nowhere
but is as a result of many factors such as peer groups, poverty, lack of financial support, lack
of love and affection from parents and guardians, environmental influence, and defilement
and rape, prostitution, irresponsible parents, and disobedient are all the causes of teenage
pregnancy among teenagers.

Lack of sex education has also led to many teenage girls to fall into the trap of getting
pregnant at a tender age, as the majority of them have not received any kind of education
about sex. And also, that many children disobey the advices given to them by their parents.

Therefore, it is of good interest that the government and parents or guardians develop a
learning package that can be used to teach teenager both boys and girls on issues concerning
sex and safer sex. And more especially parents have to be restrictive on the things that they
let their children do. And finally, the government should develop a number of programs that
will support and teach the teenager on these issues

RECOMMENDATIONS

From the above findings some recommendations were made; Availability of family
planning and how to use them, the influence of poverty on teenagers, influence of peer
pressure on teenage pregnancies, there is need for policy makers, community leaders and
school curriculum to act towards raising age at marriage to after 19 years and make the

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methods of contraception accessible to teenagers. Qualitative techniques like focus groups
discussions could be helpful in reflecting on the root cause of the problem. Recommendations
include interventions to keep girls in school, to provide them with technical and life skills
training, to support them in adopting healthy lifestyles and a successful transition to
motherhood, and to help their children reach their full potential.

REFERENCES

[1]. Getachew Mullu Kassa, A. O. Arowojolu, A. A. Odukogbe and AlemayehuWorku

Yalew(2018). Prevalence and determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Africa: a systematic
review and Meta-analysis.

[2]. Reproductive Health201815:195.

[3]. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0640-2.

[4]. Ibrahim Yakubu and Waliu Jawula Salisu, (2018). Determinants of adolescent pregnancy
in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review Reproductive Health. 2018; 15: 15.

[5]. Yohannes Ayanaw Habitu, Anteneh Yalew and Telake Azale Bisetegn (2018).
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Teenage Pregnancy, Northeast Ethiopia, 2017: A
Cross-Sectional Study Journal of Pregnancy Volume 2018, Article ID 1714527, 7 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1714527.

[6]. Demetrius Madrigal and Bryan McClain (2012). Strengths and weaknesses of
quantitative and qualitatative research. https://www.uxmatters.com.

[7]. Interview schedule: definition, types, templates and tips (2016).

https://www.cleverism.com.

[8]. https://writing.colostate.edu advantages of open-ended questions

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