Gender and Sexuality as Determinants of Teenage Pregnancies in Tanzania: A Case Analysis of Health Integrated Multisectoral Services

Contents

Introduction        

Background        

Thesis Statement        

Related Issues        

Health Integrated Multisectoral Services (HIMS)        

Related Argument        

Gender        

Youth        

Sexuality        

Intergenerational Interactions        

Analysis        

Recommendations        

Conclusion        

References:        

Introduction

        Pregnancy of a teenage girl in not a major problem, but it turns out to be an issue, that too, a serious one, when the society relates it to only one specific sex which is female sex. Many government interventions, nonprofit organizations advocacy efforts and community based small organizations focus on measures preventing teenage pregnancies, teach communities on its health impacts and even provide help and support to girls who become pregnant. Yet the efforts target sprinkling fresh water and providing better food to the fruit, not many focus on increasing the quality of the seed to get a naturally healthier fruit. It is imperative to study the causes of teenage pregnancies in detail to understand the nature of the problem. In this paper, I made an effort to understand gender roles and sexuality, society driven factors as one of the major determinants of the teenage pregnancy. I will analyze these factors based on theory as well as personal interactions with the local community and will therefore relate to HIMS^[1] and its practices with some recommendations on tackling this issue.

Background

Early Pregnancy or teenage pregnancy is not an uncommon social issue. It is prevalent around the globe and all countries experience this social issue which continues to exist. The reasons however can majorly differ in developed, underdeveloped or developing countries. According to a survey, among developed countries the teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in America, and the least in Sweden, both at 22% and 4% respectively (Darroch et al. 2001). The situation is no different in underdeveloped countries. In East Africa, particularly Tanzania, 23% girls of total population between age group of 15 – 19 years are either pregnant with their first child or are mothers already according to Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey 2010. About 17% girls are mothers and approximately 6% are pregnant with their first child.