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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - Teen pregnancies in South Africa have been increasing over the last three years, with an estimated 150 000 girls in the age group 10 to 19 falling pregnant in the 2022/2023 financial year, according to the National Department of Social Development.

The estimate for the previous year was about 90 000 teen pregnancies. At George Hospital, there were 400 births to mothers aged between 15 and 19 in 2023, compared with 393 in 2022 in this age category, says Eden District spokesperson for the Western Cape Health Department Nadia Ferreira.

As alarming as these statistics is the fact that only one third of these adolescent mothers ever return to school.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) says in a 2023 report on school dropout of adolescent girls during pregnancy that, with each year that passes after giving birth, the chance of a teen mother ever returning to school decreases.

Laurie Edwall, director of Options Care Centre in George that offers assistance to teen moms, says they have also noticed an increase. 

"Approximately 17% of our clients are 18 and younger. Our youngest client was 11 years old when she came to Options."

Edwall says a myriad factors contribute to the rise, one of which is the breakdown of the family structure. 

"One element of this is the absence of the father. Difficult circumstances at home contribute to the stress level of girls who are at risk of a teenage pregnancy, often because of the relationship breakdown with the parents/parent. 

"Stress because of Covid and the interruption of school and youth activities created factors contributing to teen pregnancy."

Other factors are:

* Unemployment and financial stress causes girls to become more vulnerable to men who will offer to meet their practical needs in exchange for sex.

* Pressure from the boyfriend, friends and social media to be sexually active.

* Alcohol and drugs increase vulnerability and make it more difficult to make healthy sexual decisions.

* Early sexual trauma, such as molestation or rape, create a vulnerability to more sexual trauma that can include teen pregnancy.

* Lack of information.

VIDEO - Huge rise in SA teen pregnancy a sign of the times? 

Unemployment and financial stress causes girls to become more vulnerable to men who will offer to meet their practical needs in exchange for sex.

WCED reports a decline

In contrast to the increasing numbers overall in South Africa, the Western Cape Education Department says their figures have been declining for the past few years.

In the Eden and Central Karoo district, the number fell from 285 in 2022, to 227 in 2023. The number of teen pregnancies reported overall in the province reduced from 2 208 in 2018 to 1 602 in 2022.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says these figures do not include learners who drop out of school or request a transfer without the school knowing that the learner is pregnant. 

They are not certain what contributes to the drop in numbers, however, there is intervention through sexual education in schools that is focused on prevention and 'making the right choices'. 

"The life orientation curriculum for every phase deals with sex and sexuality at appropriate levels."

Health toll and psychological impact

Ferreira says falling pregnant as a teenager puts you at a higher risk for having a baby born too early, with a low birth weight and, tragically, higher risk of death.

In a media statement during Pregnancy Awareness Week (6 to 10 February), the South African Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop) emphasised the critical mental health impact on teenage mothers and the multifaceted challenges these girls face.

Dr Jessica Stanbridge, psychiatrist and Sasop member, says teenage pregnancy usually implies that the pregnancy is unplanned. 

"Pregnancy in very young adolescents aged 10 to 14 is evidence of statutory rape. This, together with the alarming numbers that do not factor in unregistered births, miscarriages or backstreet abortions, paints a disheartening picture," says Stanbridge.

"The mental health toll on teenagers giving birth cannot be understated. Teenage pregnancies often come with a range of emotional and psychological challenges, impacting the mental well-being of young mothers.

"The societal stigma, coupled with the abrupt and sudden transition to parenthood, can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder."

Read related articles here:

Pregnant girls encouraged to complete school

Support for teen moms at Options

Laurie Edwall, director of Options, speaking at one of their annual fundraising functions at Fancourt.

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