Teenage Mothers’ Experiences With Childbirth in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Teenage childbirth is a social and public health concern in Ghana, with high prevalence in some regions in the country, including the Central Region, particularly in the KEEA Municipality. This study sought to explore teenage mothers’ experiences with childbirth in the KEEA Municipality. The study utilised a cross sectional research design, where qualitative methods such as indepth interviews and pictorial guides were used to collect the data from 30 participants. The data were analysed using a systematic qualitative oriented text analysis and NVivo 12 Pro qualitative software. Using health belief model, resilience theory and ecological systems theory, teenage mother’s life experiences, feelings and circumstances with childbirth were explored. The study reveals that, teenage mothers experienced risks of postpartum haemorrhage, preterm births, low birth weight, and other neonatal conditions. Findings suggested that teenage mothers were inexperienced in some of the childcare practices. They use traditional practices that were part of their immediate environment (family) and community culture/belief when caring for their babies. For instance, putting wet towel on hot stone and apply to the umbilical stump. It emerged that teen mothers required help and social support from the microsystem consisting of the family, friends, and the baby’s fathers to enable them and their babies survive, develop, and become healthy and happy in life. It is recommended that, health care professionals must be aware of the birth experiences and child care practices of teenage mothers in order to plan quality care for mother—child and ensure that the needed support, knowledge and guidance should be provided to teenage mothers to ensure their wellbeing and that of their children.