Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos.

abortion (attitudes toward) adolescent motherhood experiences exclusion peri-urban teenage pregnancy

Journal

Frontiers in global women's health
ISSN: 2673-5059
Titre abrégé: Front Glob Womens Health
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101776281

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2023
Historique:
received: 04 07 2022
accepted: 13 02 2023
entrez: 27 3 2023
pubmed: 28 3 2023
medline: 28 3 2023
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Teenage pregnancy is a persistent public health problem with pervasive socio-economic consequences, particularly in in low- and middle-income countries, often related to low social participation and low economic security. The experiences of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood have seldom been described from a personal point of view. This study aimed to gain insights into how adolescent mothers in Laos experience their motherhood, how they perceive their situation and try to cope with it. This qualitative study was undertaken with 20 pregnant adolescents and young mothers living in peri-urban areas in two of the 18 provinces in Laos. Data were collected during 20 semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions ( The most common theme was that the young mothers experienced exclusion individually, socially and in relation to official systems. In only two cases was the pregnancy intended. All were determined to be good mothers, but were overwhelmed and unsure how to overcome structural barriers to educational, social and economic participation. Participants revealed that their adolescent pregnancy was tied to losses of past and future aspirations, and believed that working to prevent unintended adolescent pregnancy is worthwhile, but also advised that community support structures would help young women in their position.

Sections du résumé

Background UNASSIGNED
Teenage pregnancy is a persistent public health problem with pervasive socio-economic consequences, particularly in in low- and middle-income countries, often related to low social participation and low economic security. The experiences of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood have seldom been described from a personal point of view. This study aimed to gain insights into how adolescent mothers in Laos experience their motherhood, how they perceive their situation and try to cope with it.
Methods UNASSIGNED
This qualitative study was undertaken with 20 pregnant adolescents and young mothers living in peri-urban areas in two of the 18 provinces in Laos. Data were collected during 20 semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions (
Results UNASSIGNED
The most common theme was that the young mothers experienced exclusion individually, socially and in relation to official systems. In only two cases was the pregnancy intended. All were determined to be good mothers, but were overwhelmed and unsure how to overcome structural barriers to educational, social and economic participation.
Conclusion UNASSIGNED
Participants revealed that their adolescent pregnancy was tied to losses of past and future aspirations, and believed that working to prevent unintended adolescent pregnancy is worthwhile, but also advised that community support structures would help young women in their position.

Identifiants

pubmed: 36970119
doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.986145
pmc: PMC10031130
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Pagination

986145

Informations de copyright

© 2023 Thongmixay, Essink, Kahrs, Vongxay, Wright, Sychareun and Broerse.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Références

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 Apr 30;11(5):4729-44
pubmed: 24785743
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018 Jun 8;18(1):219
pubmed: 29884139
BJOG. 2013 Dec;120(13):1622-30; discussion 1630
pubmed: 23924217
Reprod Health. 2017 Dec 14;14(Suppl 3):167
pubmed: 29297369
BMC Public Health. 2015 Sep 10;15:873
pubmed: 26358465
Cult Health Sex. 2017 Mar;19(3):293-307
pubmed: 27685083
J Clin Nurs. 2011 May;20(9-10):1481-9
pubmed: 21299660
West J Nurs Res. 2018 Apr;40(4):502-519
pubmed: 28322635
BMJ. 2004 May 15;328(7449):1152
pubmed: 15142897
Popul Stud (Camb). 2017 Mar;71(1):3-21
pubmed: 27884093
Int J Nurs Sci. 2019 Mar 25;6(2):221-228
pubmed: 31406896
Soc Sci Med. 2007 Jan;64(1):112-24
pubmed: 17011093
Br J Gen Pract. 2004 Nov;54(508):813-8
pubmed: 15527606
Reprod Health. 2011 May 20;8:16
pubmed: 21599904
PLoS One. 2018 Aug 9;13(8):e0202107
pubmed: 30092087
Matern Child Health J. 2003 Mar;7(1):13-30
pubmed: 12710797
J Marriage Fam. 2018 Oct;80(5):1244-1258
pubmed: 30555182
Health Care Women Int. 2005 Aug;26(7):591-603
pubmed: 16126602
Matern Child Health J. 2015 Jan;19(1):67-73
pubmed: 24833286
J Nurs Scholarsh. 2004;36(3):226-32
pubmed: 15495491
ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2000 Sep;23(1):12-28
pubmed: 10970036
J Adolesc Health. 2016 Oct;59(4S):S11-S28
pubmed: 27664592
PLoS One. 2019 Jan 16;14(1):e0209675
pubmed: 30650100
Bull World Health Organ. 2009 Jun;87(6):410-1
pubmed: 19565115
Women Birth. 2016 Aug;29(4):303-9
pubmed: 26651284
Int J Womens Health. 2013 Nov 12;5:773-80
pubmed: 24250233
BMC Public Health. 2013 Dec 05;13:1126
pubmed: 24304698
Eur J Public Health. 2007 Dec;17(6):630-6
pubmed: 17387106

Auteurs

Souksamone Thongmixay (S)

Faculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Laos.
Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Dirk Essink (D)

Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Taewee Kahrs (T)

Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Viengnakhone Vongxay (V)

Faculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Laos.
Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Pamela Wright (P)

Guelph International Health Consulting, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Vanphanom Sychareun (V)

Faculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Laos.

Jacqueline E W Broerse (JEW)

Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Classifications MeSH