Problems encountered by teenage mothers in the Southern Hho-Hho region of Swaziland

Abstract

A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research approach was followed to study the problems experienced by teenage mothers in the southern Hho-Hho region of Swaziland. The findings of transcribed in-depth individual interviews indicated that the major problem encountered by the participants was the lack of knowledge, advice and emotional support before, during and after their pregnancies. Parents, partners, peer groups, health personnel, teachers, church leaders and communities failed to empower the teenage mothers with knowledge and skills to prevent pregnancy or to facilitate motherhood. This lack of support impacted on the social, cultural, economic, spiritual and emotional dimensions of the teenage mothers. These effects caused problems for the teenage mothers, their families and their communities which could be addressed by multi-disciplinary approaches and intersectoral collaboration.