An Assessment of Teenage Pregnancy in Zimbabwe. The Case of Manicaland and Mashonaland Central Provinces

James Munamati, University of zimbabwe

Young people represent a source of hope and a demographic dividend in many developing nations, Zimbabwe included. However, they grapple with significant sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, such as unintended pregnancies leading to unsafe abortions. This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central Provinces, understanding the contributing factors, and exploring the consequences. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs), the research involved 600 female adolescents aged 10-19. Results indicated that 16% of adolescents in this age group had experienced pregnancy. Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy encompassed age, ethnicity, marital status, self-efficacy, knowledge, attitudes towards pregnancy and contraception, orphanhood, religion, peer pressure, poverty, socio-cultural practices, sexual abuse, social media, transactional sex, and the Internet. Recommendations include empowering female adolescents through life skills initiatives to address these challenges effectively.