Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho

Received: 25 May 2024     Accepted: 17 June 2024     Published: 26 June 2024
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Abstract

Unplanned pregnancy amongst youth is a fundamental health problem that affects both developing and developed countries globally. There are various factors associated with unplanned pregnancy amongst youth and these factors have differing propagators. Unplanned pregnancies account for over half of total pregnancies in Lesotho; youth pregnancies contribute vast percentage overall. This study aimed to assess which factors associated are with unplanned pregnancy among youths who sought antenatal and postnatal care services at a selected government hospital in Lesotho. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data was collected from a sample of 100 participants using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that unplanned pregnancy among youths was associated with age, unemployment, lack of contraceptive use, sexual abuse, living in rural areas and lack of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns. The findings of this study support socio-ecological model which postulates that variety of factors influence health outcomes. We conclude that more needs to be done to improve access to formal education, availability and accessibility of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns and sexual and reproductive services. Reduction in unplanned pregnancy has several benefits not only to sexual and reproductive health but to life holistically. Sexual and reproductive health benefits include reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and reduced abortions.

Published in American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences (Volume 5, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12
Page(s) 54-61
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Unplanned Pregnancy, Youth, Factors, Socio-Ecological Model

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Maselinyane, T., Nyangu, I., Nyoni, C. (2024). Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho. American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 5(2), 54-61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12

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    ACS Style

    Maselinyane, T.; Nyangu, I.; Nyoni, C. Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho. Am. J. Nurs. Health Sci. 2024, 5(2), 54-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12

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    AMA Style

    Maselinyane T, Nyangu I, Nyoni C. Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho. Am J Nurs Health Sci. 2024;5(2):54-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12,
      author = {Tseko Maselinyane and Isabel Nyangu and Champion Nyoni},
      title = {Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences},
      volume = {5},
      number = {2},
      pages = {54-61},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajnhs.20240502.12},
      abstract = {Unplanned pregnancy amongst youth is a fundamental health problem that affects both developing and developed countries globally. There are various factors associated with unplanned pregnancy amongst youth and these factors have differing propagators. Unplanned pregnancies account for over half of total pregnancies in Lesotho; youth pregnancies contribute vast percentage overall. This study aimed to assess which factors associated are with unplanned pregnancy among youths who sought antenatal and postnatal care services at a selected government hospital in Lesotho. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data was collected from a sample of 100 participants using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that unplanned pregnancy among youths was associated with age, unemployment, lack of contraceptive use, sexual abuse, living in rural areas and lack of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns. The findings of this study support socio-ecological model which postulates that variety of factors influence health outcomes. We conclude that more needs to be done to improve access to formal education, availability and accessibility of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns and sexual and reproductive services. Reduction in unplanned pregnancy has several benefits not only to sexual and reproductive health but to life holistically. Sexual and reproductive health benefits include reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and reduced abortions.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    T1  - Factors Associated with Unplanned Pregnancy Among Youth at a Selected Hospital in Lesotho
    
    AU  - Tseko Maselinyane
    AU  - Isabel Nyangu
    AU  - Champion Nyoni
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12
    T2  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
    JF  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
    JO  - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
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    EP  - 61
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240502.12
    AB  - Unplanned pregnancy amongst youth is a fundamental health problem that affects both developing and developed countries globally. There are various factors associated with unplanned pregnancy amongst youth and these factors have differing propagators. Unplanned pregnancies account for over half of total pregnancies in Lesotho; youth pregnancies contribute vast percentage overall. This study aimed to assess which factors associated are with unplanned pregnancy among youths who sought antenatal and postnatal care services at a selected government hospital in Lesotho. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data was collected from a sample of 100 participants using a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that unplanned pregnancy among youths was associated with age, unemployment, lack of contraceptive use, sexual abuse, living in rural areas and lack of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns. The findings of this study support socio-ecological model which postulates that variety of factors influence health outcomes. We conclude that more needs to be done to improve access to formal education, availability and accessibility of unplanned pregnancy prevention campaigns and sexual and reproductive services. Reduction in unplanned pregnancy has several benefits not only to sexual and reproductive health but to life holistically. Sexual and reproductive health benefits include reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and reduced abortions.
    
    VL  - 5
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