CONDITIONING AND PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF PREGNANCY ON ADOLESCENT STUDENTS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOOL

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is considered an important public health problem that concerns both governments of different countries, as its occurrence can have serious physical, psychological and social consequences for girls. This study aimed to understand the conditions and the psychosocial implications of pregnancy in adolescent students from a public secondary school located in the city of Nampula. An exploratory and qualitative study was carried out through interviews with 51 students from the 8th to the 10th grade. Data analysis was performed using the thematic content analysis technique. Most participants conceived before they were 18 years old. The imposition on the part of the partners not to use a condom in the sexual act, lack of dialogue / family conversation about sexuality and family planning methods, lack of material and financial conditions and fear / shame of using family planning methods were pointed out as main factors of teenage pregnancy. Early pregnancy among the students surveyed caused several psychosocial consequences, namely: fear, sadness, regret, discouragement, delay in studies and becoming a mother at an early age, that is, without completing 18 years of age. There is an urgent need to implement student assistance policies, psychosocial follow-up programs and sex education at school, as well as future qualitative research in different schools to better understand the phenomenon studied and suggest preventive measures, more effective mitigation and combat.