The effectiveness of intervention strategies in teenage pregnancy : the case of learners in Mawa Circuit, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of learners on the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies in Mawa area, Mopani District in Limpopo Province. The study sought to investigate the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies and to find out from learners other ways that can help in reducing teenage pregnancy. Six learners from three secondary schools between the ages of 14 and 19 were sampled. Data was collected using in-depth interviews to allow the researcher a platform to ask open-response questions and to explore learners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies. The data was analysed thematically by carefully identifying and expanding significant themes that emerged from the participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of socio-economic intervention strategies for teenage pregnancy. The study revealed that socio-economic intervention strategies for teenage pregnancy are not effective in rural areas of Mawa, Mopani District in Limpopo Province and as such, there is a greater need for parenting education in the province. The study recommends that priority be given to employment as well as women empowerment in the province; and that religious organisations, community leaders and teachers should work together and harder to educate their children about sex and teenage pregnancy. The study further recommends that government should fund researchers to be placed in rural areas so that they can study the culture and socio dynamics (economic structures) in different rural communities. In this way, they will be able to recommend intervention strategies and solutions that are in line with the challenges faced by teenagers in those communities.