The findings of the study show that unsafe sex together with low contraceptive use are the main causes of unintended pregnancy among young women in Lesotho. It will also assess factors that contribute to a high rate of unintended pregnancy among young women in Lesotho.
Fertility trends in Lesotho
Rationale for the study
Bongaarts and Bruce (1995) indicated that the rate of unmet need in this region exceeds the prevalence of contraception. In Africa, unmet need among unmarried women is higher than among married women, but the percentage of unmet need among unmarried women is quite high (more than 33%).
Objectives of the study
The highest percentage of unmet needs is seen in the African countries south of the Sahara, ranging between 20-25 percent. According to Bongaarts and Bruce (1995), there exists an unmet need for contraception because there is a cost associated with practicing contraception or there is a lack of information about it.
Theoretical framework of the study
One of the main factors contributing to unwanted pregnancy among young people is early sexual initiation. There is still a problem of availability and access to contraceptives among young people in Lesotho. Low perception of pregnancy risk is another factor that contributes to unwanted pregnancy among young people.
Several studies have documented the high rate of unintended pregnancy among young people. Peer pressure was also identified in this study as one of the factors contributing to risky sexual behavior among young people. This study also found that peers are the main source of information about contraception among young people.
This study found that increasing contraceptive use among young people can prevent early and unintended pregnancies.
Organisation of the dissertation
Knowledge of contraceptives
Family planning system in Lesotho
The reason for the low use of contraception in Lesotho may stem from the fact that family planning was introduced late in the month. According to Tuoane et al. Since 2004, the government of Lesotho has not been directly involved in family planning until the 1970s.
Knowledge of a source of supply
This means that TFR is also falling at a low rate due to limited access to family planning services. The low level of fertility decline in Lesotho may be influenced by the high TFR among young people, which is also influenced by the lack of access to family planning.
Mostly used contraceptive methods in Lesotho
- Emergency pill
- Condoms
- Female and male sterilisation
- Implants
For example, only 2.4% of people in Lesotho were reported to have undergone sterilization and vasectomy in the late 1990s (Tuoane et al. 2004). According to Tuoane et al. 2004), more than 10% of women in Lesotho use implantable contraceptive methods to limit their births.
Abortion
Contraceptives play a major role in reducing unintended pregnancy in Africa, as Akintade (2010) has shown: two-thirds of unintended pregnancies in developing countries occur among women who do not use any method of contraception. This means that the consistent and reliable use of modern contraceptives can successfully reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy.
Factors contributing to low contraceptive use
- Early age of sexual onset
- Urban rural residence
- Education
- Contraceptives failure and Fear of side effects
- Perception about the risk of pregnancy
- Lack of accessibility and availability of contraceptives
- Religion
- Marital status
Studies show that unprotected sex and non-monogamous sex are the main contributors to unintended pregnancy among young people in Lesotho (LHDS 2009). Studies show that 15% of women using this method of contraception in sub-Saharan Africa experience an unintended pregnancy (Hubacher et al. 2008).
Conclusion
Caldwell and Caldwell (2002) also advocated that men and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa are shocked if they go to family planning clinics, while adolescents are more often than not turned away. Caldwell and Caldwell (2002) emphasized that in Africa there is a demand for contraception by adolescents of both sexes, but men and adolescents cause shock when they attend family planning clinics. As expected, the relationship between education and exposure to family planning messages is consistent with the existing literature.
Research setting
As explained in chapter one, the overall objective of the study is to investigate factors influencing unintended pregnancies in young women and barriers to contraceptive use. The students at the university are a complete socio-cultural representation of the people of Lesotho as they come from different geographical parts of the country. One of the reasons for choosing to study at this university was that these students are socially and economically heterogeneous.
Research design
One of the main advantages of an in-depth interview is that when using this method, the researcher can elicit some non-verbal signs from the respondent, any discomfort, stress or problems that the respondent is experiencing (Sekaran 2003). The interviews were tape-recorded with the consent of the respondents, and the confidentiality and anonymity of the interview was guaranteed to the respondents. The interviews were conducted in English, and in cases where explanations were needed in Sesotho, a translation of the interviews was provided here.
Sampling technique
It was therefore worth noting men's views on factors influencing unintended pregnancy, as well as their perceptions of contraceptive use.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Ethical consideration
It included the purpose of the study, the format of the interview, the participants' right to participate voluntarily, their freedom to refuse to answer any question and to withdraw at any time. Respondents were also assured that the interviews would be kept strictly confidential and accessible only to members of the research team - the researcher and the supervisor. They were also assured of privacy for the study and that their dignity was respected.
Data analysis
Using a qualitative study means that the researcher takes a special responsibility to protect confidentiality (Britten et al. 1995). However, this analysis can be subjective because the meaning attached to the answers can be influenced by the interpretation of the researcher and not the respondents. To clarify this, the researcher asked her supervisor to check the interpretations and analyses.
Validity and reliability of the study
Using the model of sexual behavior developed by Eaton et al. 2002) as an initial guide, the researcher identified themes within the data, using thematic analysis to identify any new themes that might suggest a fit with theories about barriers to effective contraceptive use that affect unplanned pregnancies. The analysis is based on the research questions stated in the first chapter, to determine the factors that influence unwanted pregnancy among young people.
Limitations of the study
The use of in-depth interviews may be another limitation of this study as it may cause the researcher to influence the responses of the respondents. The researcher thus tried to avoid influencing the respondents' answers as much as possible, and above all he gave guidelines so that the respondents understood the questions as they were intended. Another limitation of the study is the sample size, which was relatively small and limited to students attending university.
Poverty was also found to be a contributing factor to having multiple sexual partners among young people. Casual sex perpetuates risky sexual behavior among young people because it is not planned and prepared. This research also shows that most unprotected sex among young people takes place when they are drunk.
Respondents in the study indicated that the strength of religion tends to reduce the likelihood of young people's participation in sexual activities. Alcohol and drug abuse are among the contributing factors to unsafe sex among young people. Economic reasons were cited by most respondents as the continuation of risky sexual behavior among young people.
This study therefore finds contraceptive costs as potential barriers to contraceptive access among young people.
Demographic profile of respondents
Young people’s sexual behaviour
Age at first sex
As mentioned above, it has been found that young people start sexual activities as early as the age of ten. Young people also admit that they spend most of their time discussing sexual matters and experiences with friends, which also increases their desire for sexual activities. In this study, the Internet, television and radio are the most popular media from which young people get information.
Multiple sexual partners
Many respondents who reported having multiple sexual partners indicated that they had more than one sexual partner for safety reasons. As stated, young people feel so compelled to engage in sexual activities that they find it difficult to stay far away from their so-called regular sexual partners. Respondents in the study emphasized that some young people are completely dependent on their sexual partners for financial support.
Practicing unsafe sex
Alcohol and drug abuse is one of the key factors contributing to risky behavior among young people, which contributes to unplanned pregnancy. Most risky behavior among young people occurs after consuming alcohol or other substances. Numerous studies have documented the strong influence of alcohol on risky sexual behavior among young people.
Awareness of contraceptives among young people
As shown in the quotes, most of the information provided by parents is not well understood by young people. Therefore, this study does not support the argument that discussing sexual issues with children promotes sexual activities in young people. As mentioned earlier, friends are the main sources of contraceptive information among young people in Lesotho, and it is worth noting that most information from peers is inaccurate.
Contraceptive use among young people
Most respondents indicated that they never received any information about contraceptives from health care providers, except for a few individuals who were mostly from urban areas. Young people indicated that the information they receive from health care providers encourages them to use contraceptives and teaches them how to use different methods. The quotes show that even as condoms become more accessible, young people have more reasons not to use them.
Barriers to contraceptive use
- Awareness of risky sexual behaviours
- Availability and accessibility to contraceptives
- Low perception of risk of pregnancy
- Attitudes and beliefs about contraceptives
- Health care providers’ attitudes
- Religion
- Culture
- Urban-rural residence
Attitudes were divided into two groups: those who support the use of contraception among young people and those who do not. A common response among those who do not support the use of contraceptives among young people was that they encourage promiscuous behavior because users will "sleep around" without worrying about the risk of pregnancy. The use does not seem bad, as young people enjoy sex and have fun without worrying about the risk of pregnancy.
Challenges young unmarried mothers are facing
In most cases young people who experience unwanted pregnancies are not financially able to support their children. New mothers usually do not have money to support their children and they are treated like slaves in their homes” (Male # 3). Respondents in this study also demonstrated an overwhelming concern for the reproductive health of young women, indicating that young people normally do not accept their pregnancy at first and most of the time resort to abortions.
Recommendations with regard to unintended pregnancy
These and other horrific incidents are happening at an alarming rate because the reproductive health of young people is being ignored by older people in society. One male respondent indicated that the best way to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies is for young people to participate in church fellowship groups. In general, the study found that there is a need for interventional recreational activities that will limit young people's exposure to sexual activities.
Conclusion
The finding of this study also revealed that peers have a dual influence on the reproductive health of young people. Reasons for low contraceptive use among youth were also consistent with existing literature. The study generally highlights the need for contraceptive promotion and more specifically among young people in Lesotho.
Conclusions and recommendations
Despite many intervention strategies being implemented to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa, young people always find excuses not to respond. The results were linked and found to be largely consistent with the existing literature, both with young people's sexual behavior leading to unintended pregnancy and barriers to contraceptive use. Do you think young people are aware of risky behaviors that lead to unintended pregnancies.
