Adolescents' perceptions of unplanned adolescent pregnancies in the light of the current high HIV/AIDS rates in South Africa

摘要

Unplanned adolescent pregnancy is one of the challenges that South Africa has beenuddealing with for years. This challenge is further complicated by the soaring HIV/AIDSudinfection rates, particularly among young people. The study aimed to explore adolescents’udunderstanding and meaning of the continuing unplanned pregnancies among adolescentsudin view of high HIV/AIDS prevalence. Thirteen male and female adolescents agedudbetween 14 years and 25 years made up the participants. Three of them are mothers, fourudare university students and eight are high school learners. The study was undertaken in audhigh school, a university, and a clinic in Soweto. Unstructured interviews were used andudthe topics included adolescents’ knowledge on HIV/AIDS, their thoughts on the continuedudhigh levels of unplanned adolescent pregnancies, and their perceptions of theudconsequences thereof. The participants viewed unplanned adolescent pregnancies as audcontinuing problem within their communities. Unplanned adolescent pregnancy wasuddescribed as a product of several factors within and beyond the control of young people.udSome of the identified contributory factors are impulsivity, perceived invulnerability,udfinancial dependence, and underdeveloped planning on the part of adolescents. Fertility isudhighly regarded in certain societies. The participants have a good knowledge of HIV/AIDS,udwhich they receive from several sources such as schools, media, etc. However, HIV/AIDSudis not always a deterrent to unprotected sex and the subsequent unplanned pregnanciesudamong adolescents. Most participants do not see the relationship between unplannedudpregnancies and HIV/AIDS. Instead, some young people see the prevention of pregnancyudas more important than the preservation of life through the prevention of HIV infection.udKnowledge about HIV/AIDS does not translate into behaviour change. A significantudunderestimation of personal risk to HIV/AIDS was observed. The fatality and reality ofudHIV/AIDS is often ignored and denied.