Peer Influence And Teenage Pregnancy Among Adolescents In Secondary Schools. A Case Study of Mbarara Municipality, Uganda.

Abstract

Introduction: 

Peer influence is said to be stronger during adolescence and teenage pregnancy is on the rise in secondary school teenagers

Methodology: 

The research questions were answered through self-administered questionnaires, focused group discussions, and interviews. The population was 200 respondents and the sample size was 132 including; 105 teenagers, 15 teachers, and 12 parents. The samples were randomly, conveniently, and purposively selected from randomly identified 5 secondary schools. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and focused on 5 selected schools in Mbarara Municipality. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results:

The findings of the study demonstrated that negative peer interactions, the timing of sexual intercourse, and unhealthy teen friendships increase the likelihood of teenage pregnancy while positive peer interactions, delayed sexual intercourse and healthy teen friendships decrease teenage pregnancy. The study thus concludes that peer influence impacts teenage pregnancy rates among teenagers.

Recommendations:

Teenagers monitor and evaluate the suggestions and pieces of advice received from their peers, as well as utilize good peers for positive support; and that teachers, parents, counselors, social workers, and all who work with adolescents, understand and contextualize adolescents’ needs and behavior and guide them adequately to benefit from their developmental stage

Conclusion: 

The study examined sexual intercourse among teenagers and the results included sexual history (62.9%), exposure (81%), behavior (92.4%) attitude and beliefs (55.2%), and perception (84.8%).