The problems of teenage mothers in the southern Hho-Hho region of Swaziland

Abstract

A qualitative study was done to explore and describe the problems of teenage mothers in the southern Hho-Hho region of Swaziland. Ten teenage mothers wrote naive sketches and fourteen teenage mothers were interviewed. The findings of the research indicated a lack of support for the teenage mother in all the dimensions studies in this research which include physical, social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, economical and educational. This lack of support systems were found to be the paramount problem and need urgent attention. The vicious circle of lack of support, ignorance, interruption of education and unplanned motherhood can only be addressed if all stakeholders including the multidisciplinary team actively participate to prevent teenage pregnancy and provide support for teenagers in general.