School of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences

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Browsing School of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences by Author "Anderu Sunday & Dr. Amos Ronald Kalukusu"

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    FACTORS INFLUENCING INCREASE IN TEENAGE PREGNANCIES IN POST-COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN UGANDA: A CASE OF OLEBA SUB-COUNTY, MARACHA DISTRICT, UGANDA
    (King Ceasor University, Institutional Repository, 2024-07-18) Anderu Sunday & Dr. Amos Ronald Kalukusu
    This research investigated the factors influencing the increase in teenage pregnancies in the post-COVID-19 pandemic at Oleba sub-county, Maracha District, Uganda. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study explored socio-economic, COVID-19 pandemic impact, cultural, and environmental factors shaping teenage pregnancy rates. The research objectives included examining socio-economic factors contributing to teenage pregnancies, assessing the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on teenage pregnancy rates, and exploring cultural and environmental influences on teenage pregnancy rates. Data was collected through surveys and focus group discussions from 210 participants. Findings reveal significant socio-economic disparities, with 38.1% of respondents from low-income backgrounds, while 57.1% were females. Moreover, the chi-square values demonstrated statistically significant associations between income level (χ2 = 8.23, p = 0.004), education level (χ2 = 10.42, p = 0.001), access to healthcare (χ2 = 12.98, p < 0.001), family structure (χ2 = 7.85, p = 0.005), peer influence (χ2 = 15.73, p < 0.001), and teenage pregnancy rates. Similarly, cultural beliefs (χ2 = 8.93, p = 0.003), geographical location (χ2 = 6.34, p = 0.012), and media exposure (χ2 = 7.01, p = 0.010) exhibited significant associations. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a notable impact on teenage pregnancy rates, with 71.4% reporting access to healthcare and a lower likelihood of teenage pregnancy (AOR = 0.7). Conversely, those influenced by negative peer influence had higher odds of teenage pregnancy (AOR = 1.0, reference). Additionally, cultural beliefs supporting teenage pregnancy exhibited increased odds (AOR = 1.0, reference), while urban geographical locations were associated with reduced odds (AOR = 0.9). Regarding cultural and environmental factors, the study revealed that supportive cultural beliefs (61.9%) and available community resources (66.7%) were associated with lower teenage pregnancy rates. In contrast, restrictive cultural beliefs (38.1%) and peer negative influence (52.4%) were linked with higher teenage pregnancy rates. In conclusion, this study highlights the complex interplay of socio-economic, COVID-19 pandemic impact, cultural, and environmental factors influencing teenage pregnancy rates. Based on these findings, recommendations are made to various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, the Government of Uganda, and community leaders, to implement targeted interventions addressing these factors and mitigating teenage pregnancy rates. Keywords: Teenage pregnancy; COVID-19 impact; Socio-economic Factors