PI: Prof E Maimela
Background and rationale: Pregnancy and parenthood are known to be high-risk times for mental health, while adolescent pregnancies present a great public health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. Adolescent pregnancy is not only a reproductive health issue but also a cause and an outcome of shifting socio-cultural practices around family rearing, and social exclusion of the girl child. This disenfranchisement is compounded by weak institutional, legal, and social protection. In the DIMAMO PHRC and Limpopo Province, little is known about the mental health of pregnant adolescents or adolescent parents. Despite the substantial literature on the risks associated with adolescent pregnancy, there is limited evidence on best practices for preventing poor mental health in this vulnerable group. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors associated with mental health needs for pregnant adolescents and parenting adolescents, such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and perception of teenage pregnancy, knowledge and perception of pregnant adolescents and parenting adolescents on depression, and their views regarding depression.
Objectives of the study
- To determine the prevalence and severity of food insecurity
- To determine the proportion of malnourished pregnant and parenting adolescents
- To determine the level of teenage pregnancy
- To investigate the prevalence of depression and factors associated with depression amongst pregnant adolescents and parenting adolescents
- To explore the knowledge and perception of pregnant adolescents and parenting adolescents on depression associated with pregnancy
- To explore the barriers that often prevent pregnant adolescents and parenting adolescents from seeking mental health services, and interventions for this vulnerable population that can be integrated into primary care services
- To investigate support structures for pregnant adolescents and parenting adolescents