| Summary: | Teenage pregnancy is a global public health problem, which results in inevitable interruptions in
their education. In some instances, dropping out of school is temporary, but some of teenagers
do not return to school. The dual responsibility of parenting and school work often results in
poor scholastic performance, adding to the burden of a limited education and scarce employment
opportunities. Since 2004, schools in Soshanguve have been requesting urgent preventive
interventions regarding teenage pregnancy, which prompted the need for this study. The aim
of the study was to determine the pattern of relationships, perceptions and the socio-cultural
environments of pregnant teenagers in Soshanguve.
A qualitative exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used for the study. Participants
comprised teenagers from Soshanguve secondary schools, who visited the clinic for ante-natal
or post-natal care. A purposive sampling method was used and the sample size was determined
by saturation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants. Tesch’s approach,
using open coding and a template analysis system, was utilised for data analysis.
Teenagers lacked information about menarche and menstruation, leaving them unprepared for
their pregnancies. Participants did not realise the consequences of their love and sex relationships.
Circumstances around their lives and the socio-cultural environments contributed to their
pregnancies, resulting in teenagers showing regret, shame, denial and some accepting their
pregnancies. Communication about sexuality was lacking and teenagers had no risk perceptions teenage pregnancy is urgently needed.
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