Title: Understanding Factors Contributing to Teenage Pregnancy in Ghana.
By Prisca Brenda Buhwa
ID: 10121944
Supervised by Maria Cardova
A dissertation submitted to the department of Health and Social Care, Faculty of London Metropolitain in association with QA in partial fulfilment for the award of the top up degree of BSc in Health and Social Care of the London Metropolitan University.
Abstract
(250-300 words).
Acknowledgement
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Research
1.0 Introduction:
WHO (2004) defines teenage pregnancy as a pregnancy between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Adolescence is a period of sexual maturation and curiosity. As a result, youths are engaging in sexual behaviors, which can lead to teen pregnancy. Every year, over 21 million girls (about the population of New York) between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant. According to the World Health Organization, around one-third of women globally give birth before the age of 20.
Teenage pregnancy is a global public health issue, particularly in African communities. It is crucial to delve into the contextual background to comprehend the multifaceted factors contributing to this phenomenon among African teenagers. Teen pregnancy is still a significant social and public health issue in Ghana, with consequences that extend to the well-being of teenagers and the nation (GSS, 2018). Like many other countries, Ghana is still struggling with the difficult problem of teen pregnancy. It is important to fully understand and tackle those variables that contribute to this issue to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies (Ackon et al., 2021).
1.2 Background:
Teenage pregnancy (TP) is a major global public health concern, with high rates in both developed and developing countries. The frequency of TP is significantly higher in poorer countries, with startling data demonstrating its tremendous impact, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, Ghana, a West African country, is dealing with the multifaceted issues brought by teenage pregnancy among its adolescents. According to several studies and reports, including those by Blum et al. (2015), UNICEF (2014), and the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), an alarming number of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 in underdeveloped countries become pregnant each year, with a substantial proportion giving birth. Adolescent pregnancy is common in Africa (18.8%), with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 19.3%. Ghana has a similar story in this regional context, as seen by data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) of 2014, which found that approximately 14% of pregnancies occurred among youths aged 15-19 years (GSS, GHS, & ICF International, 2015).
Teenage pregnancy has a complex etiology that is heavily impacted by social and cultural norms. Adolescent pregnancy is more common in low-income communities with limited access to education and employment prospects (UNICEF, 2014; WHO, 2020). Rural living, child marriage, a lack of educational attainment, and inadequate communication between parents and adolescents about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues have all been highlighted as key contributing factors (Bain et al., 2020; Odimegwu & Mkwananzi, 2017; Yakubu & Salisu, 2018). Furthermore, physical aggression increases the risk of teenage pregnancy (Tetteh et al., 2020). Teenage pregnancy has far-reaching psychological consequences, as well as maternal health effects. Adolescent mothers are more likely to have poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, pregnancy-induced hypertension, anemia, and low weight at birth (Ganchimeg et al., 2014; Liabsuetrakul, 2012). Furthermore, the psychosocial consequences are severe, including educational disruptions, limited employment opportunities, and increased mental health worries such as higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and violent experiences (O'Brien Cherry et al., 2015; Wilson-Mitchell et al., 2014).
In response to these issues, many programs have been developed by governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce the prevalence and impact of adolescent pregnancy. These activities include comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, the promotion of contraceptive use, and attempts to avoid child marriage (Chandra-Mouli et al., 2013; UNFPA, 2016). Despite these efforts, teenage pregnancy remains a major issue in Ghana, particularly in rural regions (Ahinkorah, Hagan, Seidu, Budu et al., 2019; Ahinkorah, Hagan, Seidu, Mintah et al., 2019; Bain et al., 2020).
While previous research has provided light on the reasons of teen pregnancy in Ghana, there is a considerable vacuum in knowing historical trends and patterns. As a result, narrowing this gap is crucial for effectively directing future intervention initiatives. As a result, the goal of this study is to investigate the increase rate and trends in teenage pregnancy among Ghanaian adolescent women aged 15 to 19. Furthermore, it intends to investigate the changing pattern of major factors associated with adolescent pregnancy over time, with the overarching goal of guiding the development of targeted and evidence-based intervention strategies.
1.3 Aims/ objective
The aim of this secondary research is to understand the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in Ghana.
Objectives:
To investigate the prevalence and consequences of teenage pregnancy among Ghanaian adolescent women aged 15 to 19.
This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in a specific demographic group in Ghana, with a focus on public health and social well-being.
2. To identify the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence teenage pregnancy in Ghana.
This goal is to investigate the different elements that influence the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy, such as social norms, cultural practices, and economic conditions in Ghana.
3. To evaluate the efficacy of Ghana's existing intervention programs targeted at reducing adolescent pregnancy rates.
This goal is to assess the impact of governmental and non-governmental efforts aimed at reducing the occurrence and consequences of adolescent pregnancy, with a particular emphasis on their efficacy in the Ghanaian setting.
Research Questions:
1. What is the current prevalence of teenage pregnancy among Ghanaian adolescent women aged 15 to 19, and how has this rate changed over time?
The purpose of this research project is to identify the current size of adolescent pregnancy in Ghana, as well as any trends or changes in its occurrence over time.
2. What social, cultural, and economic factors contribute to Ghana's high teen pregnancy rates?
This research project seeks to identify and investigate the different contextual factors that influence the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Ghana, such as society norms, cultural practices, and economic conditions.
3. What are the maternal and psychological consequences of an adolescent pregnancy in Ghana?
The research project aims to investigate the health and social effects of adolescent pregnancy for both mothers and children, such as maternal health outcomes and psychological well-being.
4. How effective are Ghana's current prevention efforts in minimizing the prevalence and impact of adolescent pregnancy?
This topic seeks to analyze the success and limitations of governmental and non-governmental activities targeted at addressing teenage pregnancy in Ghana, as well as their effects on lowering the prevalence and mitigating the consequences of teenage pregnancy.
The rationale for the research
This study is motivated by the urgent need to address Ghana's major public health issue of teenage pregnancy. According to Blum et al. (2015), teenage pregnancy endangers the health and well-being of adolescent girls, their children, and the community. Furthermore, UNICEF (2014) underlines that teenage pregnancy is commonly linked to social and economic disparities, exacerbating existing inequalities and hindering the development prospects of affected individuals and communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the need of evidence-based interventions in preventing teen pregnancy (WHO, 2020).
Given the high prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Ghana, as evidenced by data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GSS, GHS, & ICF International, 2015), there is an urgent need to increase our understanding of the phenomenon. The project aims to inform the development of targeted and evidence-based intervention techniques in Ghana by examining historical patterns and identifying the underlying causes of adolescent pregnancy. Furthermore, assessing the effectiveness of current interventions is crucial for maximizing resource allocation and improving outcomes for adolescent girls and their communities (Ahinkorah, Hagan, Seidu, Budu et al., 2019; Ahinkorah, Hagan, Seidu, Mintah et al., 2019; Bain et al., 2020). Overall, this study is motivated by the need to address the multifaceted challenges posed by teenage pregnancy in Ghana and contribute to the development of comprehensive and long-term solutions that promote the health, well-being, and empowerment of adolescent girls and their communities.
Chapter 2: Literature review
2.0 Introduction
"This chapter provides a thorough assessment of the available literature on adolescent pregnancy, focusing on Ghana. Teenage pregnancy is a complex phenomenon influenced by socioeconomic, cultural, and health variables (Blum et al., 2015). Understanding the existing body of knowledge on this subject is critical for contextualizing current research and identifying gaps that must be filled. The literature review begins with an evaluation of the prevalence and trends in adolescent pregnancy globally and in Ghana (WHO, 2020; GSS, GHS, & ICF International, 2015). It then investigates the socio-cultural variables, maternal health outcomes, psychological implications, and intervention strategies linked to adolescent pregnancy (UNICEF, 2014; O'Brien Cherry et al., 2015; Chandra-Mouli et al., 2013).
QAHE - London Metropolitan University
Partnership
Department of Health and Social Care
Guidelines for Completing the Dissertation Project
Compiled by Solomon Afework/ Lucky Amaugo
June 2023
Title:
By XYZ
ID: 000000000
Supervised by ..
A dissertation submitted to the department of Health and Social Care, Faculty of . in partial fulfilment for the award of the top up degree of BSc in Health and Social Care of the London Metropolitan University
Submitted ..
Abstract
A summary of the dissertation including the research aim, methodology, key findings and implications (250-300 words). (written after all sections of the dissertation have been completed)
Acknowledgement
Optional section where a student can express gratitude to those who supported the research. (written after all sections of the dissertation have been completed)
Dedication (optional).
List of figures and tables (if applicable).
List of abbreviations and acronyms (if applicable).
List of definitions (if applicable).
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Research
1.0 Introduction to the chapter (gives what is contained in the chapter)
1.2 Background to the problem (gives the wider context of the problem)
1.3 Aims/ objective or research questions (identifies the issue to be discussed how it will be discussed or how the research question will be answered)
1.4 Rationale of the research (identifies the reasons for the research)
1.5 Significance of the research (gives the benefits of the findings from the research)
1.6 Summary of the chapter (gives what has been presented in the chapter)
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.0 Introduction to the chapter (gives what is contained in the chapter)
2.1 Broad literature review on the research topic (gives wider understanding of the topic from different perspectives)
2.2 Theoretical framework (gives a theory or models that inform your research)
In a theoretical framework, give the principles of the theory or model (what the theory says). Show how the theory explains your research problem.
In the example above, Maslows Theory of Hierarchy of Needs can be used to explain the relationship between deprivation and a particular disease. A theory does not necessarily have to be diagrammatic.
2.3 Gaps in the literature (summarises issues in the literature to be addressed)
2.4 Summary of the chapter (gives what has been presented in the chapter)
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.0 Introduction to the chapter (gives what is contained in the chapter)
3.1 An overview of your research method and a justification for your approach (secondary researchsystematic reviews). as compared to primary research.
This includes the philosophical aspects of the research (gives the perspective guiding the research)
3.2 Data collection method (gives the methods used to find literature)
3.3 Data sources (gives the places e.g. journals, etc. where the literature was found)
3.4 Inclusion and exclusion criteria (gives conditions that guided choice of literature)
3.5 Data analysis (gives how the literature was analysed)
3.6 Research ethics (gives how ethical concerns were addressed in your research)
3.7 Limitations of the research (problems encountered and how you dealt with them)
3.8 Summary of the chapter (gives what has been presented in the chapter)
Chapter 4: Results/Findings
4.0 Introduction to the chapter (gives what is contained in the chapter)
4.1 Result for question/objectives one (reports details of research question/objective
one)
4.2 Result for question/objectives two (reports details of research question/objective
two)
4.3 Result for question/objectives three (reports details of research
question/ objective three)
4.4 Summary of the chapter (gives what has been presented in the chapter)
Chapter 5: Discussion and conclusion
5.0 Introduction to the chapter (gives what is contained in the chapter)
5.1 Findings and discussion of results (gives a synthesis and your view of the results)
5.2 Conclusions (what do you conclude from results of your research?)
5.3 Recommendations (what do you recommend to be done based on your results)
5.4 Summary of the chapter (gives what has been presented in the chapter)
References
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Appendices
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Data summary table 1 of journal articles (summarises the journal articles retrieved)
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GUIDELINES FOR STRUCTURE OF THE ABSTRACT
Introduction
The introduction section gives an overview of the research, the problem being addressed and the purpose of the research
Methodology
The methodology section gives the methods used in the research
Results
The results section gives the results of the research
Conclusions and Recommendations
The section gives the take home messages and what needs to be done.
The abstract should not exceed 300 words or half a page and the line spacing should 1 (single space).
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Main body of the Dissertation
Line spacing of the main body of your dissertation (from chapter 1 5) should be 1.5 as shown below.
2.1 Line Spacing 1.5
The dementia is now being considering as one of the global epidemics because of its adverse impacts along with the increasing trends of number across the world (World Health Organization, 2015). It has been found that the number of people with dementia is estimated of 47.47 million in 2015 and it estimating to reach by 75.63 million by 2030 and 135.46 million by 2050 (Alzheimers disease International, 2013). For this regard, it is assuming that this study will enrich existing knowledge and understanding about the effects of dementia in the UK.
