A qualitative study of risks and protective factors against pregnancy among sexually-active adolescents in Soweto, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Risky sexual behaviors contribute to increased risk of adolescent pregnancy. This qualitative study sought to understand risks and protective factors against pregnancy amongst sexually-active adolescents in Soweto, South Africa. We used purposive sampling to recruit women at age 24 years from Soweto, who self-reported having sexual debut by age 15 years. Twenty women were recruited: (i) women who did not become pregnant before 18 years (n = 10) and (ii) women who became pregnant before 18 years (n = 10). In-depth interviews were conducted to understand their family backgrounds, conversations about sex, sexual behaviors, and initiatives taken (or not) during adolescence to prevent pregnancy. Both groups of women reported predisposing risks to early pregnancy including influence from peers t

SUBMITTER: Bosire EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10021750 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature