Factors associated with early girl-child pregnancies in Chidamoyo and Magunje areas of Hurungwe District: Zimbabwe
Abstract
Early girl-child pregnancy occurring in young girls 13-17 years remains a serious health and social
problem worldwide and has been associated with many risk factors in the young peoples, family,
school and neighbourhoods This study was done to assess factors associated with early girl-child
pregnancies in Chidamoyo and Magunje areas of Hurungwe, Zimbabwe, using a case control study
design to identify factors that may contribute to early girl-child pregnancies, by comparing subjects
who have the early girl-child pregnancy (cases) with subjects who do not have the early girl-child
pregnancies, but have their first pregnancies at mature age, but are similar in the fact they are all
pregnant women with their first pregnancies. Data were collected from 82 respondents, 4 midwives as
key informants and Chidamoyo and Magujne Hospitals Maternity registers. Results showed that
independent factors associated with early girl-child pregnancies were a) religion, being of apostolic
faith (OR3.34 95%CI 1.35 8.27) were significant religious risk factors associated with early girl-child
pregnancies. Low socio-economic status (OR 3.34 95% CI1.35-8.27) was also found to be a risk factor
associated with early girl- child pregnancies. It was conclusion of the study was that being of apostolic
religion, having financial problems and attending school away from home were risk factors associated
with early girl-child pregnancies in Chidamoyo and Magunje areas of Hurungwe. Community
awareness should be priority in Chidamoyo and Magunje areas of Hurungwe. So the identified multiple
factors contributing to this problem can be used in formulating strategies to address the problem.
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