Experiences of young adolescent mothers regarding adolescent motherhood in Oshana region

Abstract

Background and objective: Adolescence is generally understood as a period of growing to maturity, transition from childhood to adulthood with physical and mental maturity. Nowadays girls enter puberty as young as 9 years which pose a health risk to adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of adolescent mothers as regards motherhood in Oshana region.

Methods: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted among adolescent mothers in Oshana Region of Namibia regards their experiences on adolescent motherhood. Thematic analysis following Tesch’s analysis process was employed.

Results: The findings of this study revealed that having a baby at a younger age have a negative effect on their future plans. It is an unfortunate fact that emerged from the study that many adolescent mothers lack the required form of support or social assistance both during pregnancy and in raising their children in the economically driven world of today. It is an unfortunate fact that emerged from the study that many adolescent mothers lack the required form of support or social assistance both during pregnancy and in raising their children in the economically driven world of today. It appeared that having a child gives an added impetus to their lives; and they felt that every decision or step they made would impact their babies’ lives in one way or another.

Conclusions: It appeared that having a child gives an added impetus to their lives; and they felt that every decision or step they made would impact their babies’ lives in one way or another. They experienced distorted inter-personal relationships with families and friends related to motherhood as well as challenges on bringing up a baby and baby care. However adolescent mothers also had future ambitions on education, support, relationships and job attainment.