Social Support among Pregnant Adolescents in Adaklu District in the Volta Region

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancies continue to pose a challenge to many developing countries including Ghana. In Ghana, it is estimated that the contribution of adolescent to the total fertility rate is quite significant. Despite this, pregnant adolescents continue to face challenges such as physical, emotional and psychological effects. The aim of the study is to explore the kinds of social support received by pregnant adolescents and how it lessened their challenges. The study adopted a qualitative approach and purposively selected participants from Adaklu District of the Volta Region. One-on-one in-depth interview with an interview guide was the main data collection instrument used. The study revealed that pregnant adolescents are faced with challenges including drop out from school, verbal abuse, emotional, financial, health amongst others. The study also revealed that pregnant adolescents received emotional support from parents, especially mothers and other family members. Instrumental support, mostly provision of material and financial assistance was also received from family members and partners who were working. Informational support such as shared experience, medical advice and relevant information on pregnancy were received from family members and health care workers. The study established that social support had both positive and negative impacts on the pregnant adolescent. Positively, social support promoted the physical well-being of the pregnant adolescent who received them. On the other hand, some few individuals felt they had lost their respect in the society because they were seen as deviants who could not grow to be giving out for marriage.