Abstract:

The study identified the causes and effects of teenage pregnancy in kalingalinga compound of Lusaka province. Teenage pregnancy is a case of which the under aged girl usually within the ages of thirteen to nineteen years gets pregnant, it is both a social and economic problem of each and every country that has not been solved. Therefore, the study examined the general causes and effects, and measures and strategies that can be used to prevent teenage pregnancy. Its focus was on women and teenage girls only. And the targeted population was 50 respondents (interviewees) of which 35 were women and 15 where teenage girls.

A non-probability technique which is the purposive (judgemental) sampling method was used when interviewing people. The study, therefore, used a descriptive method to identify the basic causes and effects of teenage pregnancy as they affect our communities. And the main causes are; peer pressure, environmental influence, lack of financial support, lack of sex education, early marriage and media influence. And the main effects are; economic hardship, school dropout, early marriage and pregnancy complications during birth.

It was recommended that the government should come up with sensitization programs in order to notify teenagers about the effects that may arise if they engage themselves in sexual activities. And also, that the government should start to reach out to orphans and vulnerable in every part of a country.

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