Challenges Faced by Schools as They Engage Adolescents in Sexual Health Education in an Effort to Reduce Early Teenage Pregnancies in Mzilikazi District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The continuos rise in number of teenage pregnancies has become a major public health issue which has the potential to erode all the gains achieved in trying to empower the girl child for self sustainance.The study through ‘health risk' sensitive lenses evaluated the challenges faced in trying to implement  Sexual Health Education Programmes in  reducing early teenage pregnancies in Mzilikazi District in Bulawayo metropolitan province.Literature review was conducted from primary and secondary data sources. while journal reports, textbooks and various internet websites were utilised as secondary data sources. The Social Learning Theory (SLT), was selected based on four key variables relevant to teenage physical growth and mental development. The variables are interaction and participation, empowerment and adaptation to the environment in which they live.The study adopted a case study approach and employed a qualitative methodology of enquiry based on an interpretivist philosophical paradigm. The idea was to build a holistic picture of lived experiences by stakeholders through drawing inferences from selected research participants. Convenience sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the research participants owing to the sensitivity of the subject matter under discussion. The sample size was 70 and all participants freely accepted the invitation without being induced or being enticed to partake in the study. To ensure that captured data fully presented views and perceptions of participants, four data collection techniques were used which are Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), Interviews and Data Analysis. Data were analysed and synthesised through the use of Word Query and coding. Captured audio/voice responses were transcribed and later slotted into emerging themes. The study established that, few teachers trained in the subject area also contributed to the ineffective engagement of teenagers in schools resulting in some learners boycotting lessons linked to Sexual Health Education. The situation was worsened by the fact that some teachers were shy to engage teenagers on comprehensive Sexual Health Education preferring to dwell more on the abstinence approach. The study recommends that Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should facilitate human capital development programmes for capacity building, in this respect, teachers and School heads can be called to attend refresher courses or workshops to receive updates on trends of teenage pregnancies and challenges emerging due to teenage pregnancies. There is need for awareness programmes on early teenage pregnancies spearheaded by teachers and learners. Learners can also be given a chance to interact with single mothers who fell pregnant and are regretting the missed opportunities forgone in learning, this helps teenagers to know and accept the realities of life.