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<p>Teenage pregnancy is one of the major public health problems worldwide, with the issue more severe in low-and middle-income countries. While poverty is a main risk factor, the negative consequences of teenage pregnancy further perpetuate the cycle of poverty. To support teen mothers, many support programs were created; however, the benefits which reached them were limited. Since social norms vary from community to community, the types of challenges teen mothers face influence the type of support they need. This study explored the firsthand socio-economic experiences of women who underwent teenage pregnancy in Rwanda to inform the revision and monitoring of programs supporting teenage mothers addressing their specific needs.</p><p>In-depth interviews were conducted on 23 women who had delivered their first child when they were at the age between 14 years and 19 years. Five major themes related to their socio-economic experiences included: (1) Poverty is a main contributor to their early sexual relationships. Some were tricked based on false promises, some were coerced; (2) Teenage pregnancy had caused them to face various types of discrimination and stigma, leading to self-doubt and self-depreciation; (3) The men responsible for impregnating them neither took responsibilities nor provided any support; (4) They faced financial difficulties and inevitably became strongly dependent on others; (5) Most teen mothers have no complaints about becoming mothers but showed regrets about giving up on their education or their dreams.</p><p>Financially disadvantaged teenage girls were vulnerable to teenage pregnancy. The financial demand on teen mothers raising their children was tremendous. With the community health insurance system being based on family civil registration, some teen mothers faced challenges in acquiring the health insurance due to being alienated by their families. Dropping out of school due to their pregnancy was common, limiting their future employment opportunities.</p><p>Stigmatisation by their families, friends and communities were remarkable. The support granted by the government or non-government organisations (NGOs) through the local authorities was not well coordinated to ensure that it reaches the beneficiaries. Financial, health care and school support, with stronger delivery mechanisms are needed.</p>

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Exploring the lived socioeconomic experiences of teen mothers in Rwanda

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月16日

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  • Delphine Mizero,
  • Axel Shimwa,
  • Marie Immaculee Dusingize,
  • Alima Uwimana,
  • Tsion Yohannes,
  • Rex Wong

摘要

Teenage pregnancy is one of the major public health problems worldwide, with the issue more severe in low-and middle-income countries. While poverty is a main risk factor, the negative consequences of teenage pregnancy further perpetuate the cycle of poverty. To support teen mothers, many support programs were created; however, the benefits which reached them were limited. Since social norms vary from community to community, the types of challenges teen mothers face influence the type of support they need. This study explored the firsthand socio-economic experiences of women who underwent teenage pregnancy in Rwanda to inform the revision and monitoring of programs supporting teenage mothers addressing their specific needs.

In-depth interviews were conducted on 23 women who had delivered their first child when they were at the age between 14 years and 19 years. Five major themes related to their socio-economic experiences included: (1) Poverty is a main contributor to their early sexual relationships. Some were tricked based on false promises, some were coerced; (2) Teenage pregnancy had caused them to face various types of discrimination and stigma, leading to self-doubt and self-depreciation; (3) The men responsible for impregnating them neither took responsibilities nor provided any support; (4) They faced financial difficulties and inevitably became strongly dependent on others; (5) Most teen mothers have no complaints about becoming mothers but showed regrets about giving up on their education or their dreams.

Financially disadvantaged teenage girls were vulnerable to teenage pregnancy. The financial demand on teen mothers raising their children was tremendous. With the community health insurance system being based on family civil registration, some teen mothers faced challenges in acquiring the health insurance due to being alienated by their families. Dropping out of school due to their pregnancy was common, limiting their future employment opportunities.

Stigmatisation by their families, friends and communities were remarkable. The support granted by the government or non-government organisations (NGOs) through the local authorities was not well coordinated to ensure that it reaches the beneficiaries. Financial, health care and school support, with stronger delivery mechanisms are needed.