CAUSES OF ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY

There are a lot of factors that contribute to adolescent pregnancy.

Some of the causes are listed below.

1. Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Sexual and reproductive health can be a sensitive subject. Speaking openly about sex is frowned upon in many parts of the world. This can make it difficult to obtain sexual and reproductive health information and services, particularly in areas where religious or cultural beliefs prohibit access to contraception or abortion. Access to clear sexual health advice and information is critical, as is the ability to choose from a variety of contraception alternatives without stigma or discrimination.

A lack of sexual and reproductive health services can also lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV. This directly impacts on the health, well-being and livelihoods of families, and can be particularly dangerous if those with the disease have not been able to access health services to diagnose or treat their illness.

2. Inadequate access to services tailored to young people

Young people need friendly services that are accessible where they can obtain help to help them make choices about their reproductive health.

3. Family, community and social pressure to marry.

As of 2021, the estimated global number of child brides was 650 million: child marriage places girls at increased risk of pregnancy because girls who are married very early typically have limited autonomy to influence decision-making about delaying child-bearing and contraceptive use Second, in many places, girls choose to become pregnant because they have limited educational and employment prospects. Often in such societies, motherhood – within or outside marriage/union – is valued, and marriage or union and childbearing may be the best of the limited options available to adolescent girls.

4. Sexual violence

- Child sexual abuse increases the risk of unintended pregnancies. A WHO report dated 2020 estimates that 120 million girls aged under 20 years have experienced some form of forced sexual contact. This abuse is deeply rooted in gender inequality; it affects more girls than boys, although many boys are also affected. Estimates suggest that in 2020, at least 1 in 8 of the world’s children had been sexually abused before reaching the age of 18, and 1 in 20 girls aged 15–19 years had experienced forced sex during their lifetime.

The WHO report titled Violence against women prevalence estimates 2018 notes that “adolescents aged 15–19 years (24%) are estimated to have already been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at least once in their lifetime, and 16% of adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 have been subjected to this violence within the past 12 months.”

5. Lack of education or school drop-out.

Pregnancies are frequently sought rather than aggressively avoided. Students who are struggling in school may use pregnancy as an excuse to drop out. It also suggests that many young women prefer not to utilize contraception because being pregnant gives their life significance.

According to "Educational Failure: Pregnancies to Skip School," young women who leave school immediately after learning they are pregnant are students who are already performing poorly and are several years away from completing their secondary studies; it is less common for a student who is performing well to abandon her studies when a pregnancy occurs.