College of Human Sciences
CHS project provides teenage pregnancy solutions
According to a South African study, teenage pregnancy is increasing year on year in all provinces, with the rural provinces being more affected than their urban counterparts. Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape have the highest rates of teenage pregnancies among the rural provinces. These studies are some of the reasons that prompted the formation of CA80 project, known as the School Health Integrated Programme (SHIP). The project has been running for more than five years and is headed by Prof Patrone Risenga.
Dr Sheillah Mboweni (CA80 member) and Prof Patrone Risenga (CA80 Project Leader), together with Giyani High School learners
Risenga, together with one of the SHIP team members, Dr Sheillah Mboweni, recently visited Giyani High School in the Mopani District, Limpopo, to raise awareness regarding teenage pregnancy as part of the College of Human Sciences (CHS) engaged scholarship drive and their respective research. The team joined forces with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Blue Cross and Homu Micheka.
During the visit, the team conducted a meeting with the school administration to gather information about the school's functioning, data concerning pregnant teenagers, and the difficulties associated with teenage pregnancy and education. Risenga explains that it was revealed that the school has been contending with challenges related to teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence. "We managed to engage with over 1000 learners through three dialogue sessions that commenced at 09:00," says Risenga. "The purpose of these sessions was to understand the challenges that contributed to the high incidence of teenage pregnancy among students in their school and nearby areas. Separate sessions were conducted for each grade, ranging from grade 8 to grade 12."
Students were provided with opportunities to share their personal experiences with teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, a member of an NGO shared her own personal narrative of experiencing teenage pregnancy.
The CA80 team together with members of Khomanani Center, Homu Minceka and Blue Cross during the certificate of attendance handover
Challenges identified at school by learners included peer pressure, bullying, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals and the other general challenges related to school management. Mboweni and Risenga addressed all the highlighted challenges. These activities were well-received.
The CA80 team recommended that the NGOs adopt the school and increase awareness within the community to further educate and raise awareness about teenage pregnancy. The support of a Wits RHI representative who was presenting on HIV management was also well integrated into to the SHIP presentation.
Mboweni and Risenga also managed to deliver a comprehensive overview during a workshop they hosted at the Xilumani Hotel in Giyani, covering several key aspects related to teenage pregnancy. These included providing a clear definition of teenage pregnancy, discussing prevention strategies, emphasising the significance of effective communication and parenting, highlighting the availability of counselling services, examining the influence of social media, and identifying specific factors contributing to this issue. In attendance were various NGOs under the Mopani District Municipality that cater for the holistic needs of youth:
- Khomanani Centre: Working with the ECD
- Homu Minceka: Substance abuse and teenage pregnancy in the communities
- Blue Cross NGO in Giyani: addressing youth needs by conducting workshops and campaigns substance abuse
The team hopes that their work will not only impact Limpopo but the whole country as teenage pregnancy is a pandemic that requires communities and government to work together to curb it.
* By Nnana Martina Jege, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences
Publish date: 2024/05/13
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