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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 8, No. 10

Publication Date: October 25, 2021

DOI:10.14738/assrj.810.11022. Milliam, K. (2021). COVID-19 Pandemic and Increased Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal,

8(10). 301-309.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

COVID-19 Pandemic and Increased Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda

Dr. Kiconco Milliam

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Population Studies

Kyambogo University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

In writing this paper, secondary review methodology has been used to explore the

link between COVID-19 pandemic and increased teenage pregnancy in Uganda. Data

from journal articles, textbooks, media outlets, government documents and Non- Governmental Organizations reports have been used in coming up with this paper.

The paper begins with the general discussion of teenage pregnancy with emphasis

on its negative implications on teenage girls and the reasons young girls get

pregnant. This is followed by the discussion about teenage pregnancy in Uganda.

This part has shown that before the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda was

considered one of the countries with the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Sub

Saharan Africa. Then is a discussion on how past disasters like Ebola were also

associated with an increase in teenage pregnancy. This connects to the discussion

on how COVID-19 pandemic is similar to earlier disasters in causing an increase in

teenage pregnancy. The increase in teenage pregnancy is attributed to preventive

measures such as school closures and movement restrictions that have made girls

more vulnerable to sexual advances from the perpetrators. This part is followed by

the discussion on how teenage pregnancy has been amplified by COVID-19

pandemic in Uganda, Finally, the paper has recommended a multi-sectoral

approach to addressing teenage pregnancy and the need for incorporating teenage

pregnancy in the future plans aimed at addressing pandemics and epidemics.

Key words: COVID-19, pandemic, teenage pregnancy, Uganda

INTRODUCTION TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY AS A GLOBAL PROBLEM

Teenage pregnancy that occurs in girls between 10-19 years is recognized as a global problem

with serious health and socioeconomic effects on the young girls, their families and

communities [1]. The need for global, regional and national strategies to prevent early marriage

and teenage pregnancy is, therefore, recognized [2]. It is estimated that 2.5 million girls below

the age of 16 years give birth yearly [3]. Estimates further show that 12 million girls from the

age group of 15-19 years give birth in low developed countries [4] It is, therefore, documented

that most of the teenage pregnancies occur in low- and middle-income countries, more so,

among populations that are poor, uneducated and living in rural areas [5]. For example, in Sub- Saharan Africa, it is documented that 35% of the pregnancies among the girls aged 15–19-year- olds were either unplanned or unwanted [6]. Existing literature has documented the serious

negative implications of teenage pregnancy. According to WHO, globally, teenage mothers are

twice more likely to die of complications related to pregnancy than mothers above 20 years old

[7]. In Sub-Saharan Africa, pregnancy-related complications are taken to be one of the leading

causes of adolescent deaths [8]. Moreover, accordingly, low and middle-income countries

account for 99% of global maternal deaths of women aged 15-49 years [9]. Teenage pregnancy

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 8, Issue 10, October-2021

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

in this case has got serious health implications. Negative health implications of teenage

pregnancy include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, infections, maternal mortality,

morbidity and other enduring health problems [4,10]. Studies show that negative health

consequences of teenage pregnancy also affect babies born to teenage mothers below 20 years.

These include low birth weight, perinatal death [3] higher risk of malnutrition, and delayed

physical and mental development [11]. Teenage pregnancy is also associated with

socioeconomic issues such as stigma, discrimination, rejection and violence by peers, parents

and partners [12] disruption of girls’ education, which affects their future employment

opportunities [13]. Because of stigma, physical and domestic violence, teenage mothers end up

developing psychological problems [14].

A number of socioeconomic, cultural, environmental, individual and health-related factors have

been advanced in explaining the causes of teenage pregnancy [2,14-15]. A summary of those

factors is provided by Ibrahim Yakubu1 and Waliu Jawula Salisu who reviewed 24 studies

conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2017 [14]. From the 24 studies, the authors

identified factors such as peer pressure, coercive sexual relations, sexual violence, unwanted

sexual advances from men, early and forced marriage, religion, poverty, inadequate parental

guidance and parental neglect, lack of contraceptive use and lack of sexual education [14].

Others include; alcohol and substance use, low educational status, low self-esteem, high cost of

contraceptives, lack of privacy at health centres and unfriendly health services [14].

Summary of the Paper

The paper begins with the introduction that discusses teenage pregnancy as a global problem.

This has been followed by different parts that include a discussion of teenage pregnancy in

Uganda, teenage pregnancy during the times of epidemics and pandemics, increased teenage

pregnancy during COVID-19 pandemic, teenage pregnancy in Uganda during COVID-19

pandemic, tackling teenage pregnancy in Uganda and then the conclusion.

The aim of the paper

This paper aims at discussing how COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in teenage

pregnancy in Uganda.

METHODOLOGY

This paper has used secondary review methodology. Secondary data in form of journal articles,

textbooks, media outlets and government documents has been utilised. Due to lack of empirical

data on COVID-19 and teenage pregnancy in Uganda, the section on Uganda has mainly used

information from government documents, newspapers and other media outlets

Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda

Uganda is taken to be one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest levels of

teenage pregnancy. According to 2011 Uganda Bureau of Statistics [16], 24 % teenage girls in

Uganda became pregnant before the age of 19 years. This percentage had increased to 25 %

during the 2016 demographic and health survey [17]. During the 2016 demographic and health

survey, it was found out that one in four girls in the age range of 15-19 year was either pregnant

or had a child [17]. However, teenage pregnancy was found out to be high in rural areas at 27%

compared to urban areas 19% with region like Eastern Uganda having higher rates of teenage

pregnancy [17]. In one paper, it was reported that in Lira district 1,170 teenage girls got