Blog #2

The article I read provided a summary of the outcome of a survey given to adolescent mothers, ages 19 or younger, from Tshwane, South Africa who failed to use contraceptive, emergency contraceptive and/or termination of pregnancy (TOP) services. The data in this article was obtained from 61 completed surveys. Many of these adolescent mothers made very little money, barely enough to take care of themselves and their children. Only 23 (37.7%) had used contraceptives prior to conception, none used emergency contraceptives or accessed termination of pregnancy services even though all of these services are free of charge in the region (Ehlers, 2003). This survey was an attempt to educate these adolescent mothers on the contraceptive, emergency contraceptive and TOP services accessible to them in family planning clinics in their region.
The survey asked a series of questions regarding first sexual experiences, education, income, and types of contraception used if any. Reasons for first sexual experiences varied from “it just happened” to “peer pressure”.There were even a couple mothers that stated that their first time was with partners they truly loved. Out of the 61 mothers surveyed, 28 (15.9%) knew about contraception, 37.7% were familiar with the injection, even fewer knew about condoms and the pill (Ehlers, 2003). 29.5% of these mothers knew emergency contraceptive options existed but not all of them knew how to use it correctly (Ehlers, 2003). One girl stated that she was able to successfully use birth control for 7 years, ages 11-18, before becoming pregnant. This allowed her to complete the 11^th grade. She would have completed the 12^th grade also if she would have been given the injection as requested instead being forced to take the pill. I found this information to be very common to adolescents in the US. Even though we in the US are not completely limited on health care/ family planning assistance and we are definitely not limited on education of birth control and/or contraception, many have and continue to find themselves in unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.
Happily, after giving birth, these adolescent mothers became very aware of their options, 55 (90.16%) were now using some form of birth control.  38 reportedly received the injections, 10 used condoms, and 7 now take the pill. Even after by advised of the option to terminate pregnancies, very few, less than 20%, state that they would not have chosen that option.

References

Ehlers, V. J. (2003). Adolescent mothers' knowledge and perceptions of contraceptives in tshwane, south africa.(RESEARCH). Health SA Gesondheid, 8(1), 13.