Situation of Teenage Pregnancy: Perception among Adolescents in 7 Provinces of Thailand - สถานการณ์ตั้งครรภ์วัยรุ่น: การรับรู้ของวัยรุ่นใน 7 จังหวัดของประเทศไทย

Abstract

          This mixed methods study was aimed at exploring the perception of teenage pregnancy among female and male adolescents related to sexuality and pregnancy. Seven provinces showing high record on teenage pregrancy of 4 regions namely Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Narathiwat were chosen as study sites. For the quantitative section, a cross sectional survey was employed. Samples included 3,114 girls aged 9-19 who were pregnant, post partum, and having health problems related to pregnancy and attended the community or provincial hospitals of the study sites. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using percentage and 95% CI. It was found that first sexual relationship occurred at 15 years of age. Unsafe sex was found to be in the range of 22.9-44.9 percent. Condoms and emergency pills were used for birth control in 21.8-33.3 percent and 12.3-  24.8 percent of cases respectively. In the qualitative section, using purposive sampling strategy, 451 boys and girls aged 9-19 who were in primary school, high school, vocational school and who dropped out from school were chosen. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted to gather data. Content analysis and thematic analysis were employed. Triangulation was used to ensure the rigor of the study. Three main themes emerged during the data analysis: “no time to think, not thinking about”, “friends first, parents last” and “pregnant girls are condemned, boys go scot-free”.

         Findings reveal that to prevent and deal with teenage pregnancy, participation of adolescents, parents, teachers, health personnel and others agencies is crucial to strengthen family and the community. Attitudes toward sexuality and responsive sexual relation of males in all ages should be urgently improved.

Key words: teenage pregnancy, perception, gender