I.

Introduction

Teenage pregnancy severe public and social issue, and has raised large numbers of

campaigns and awareness to minimize its occurrence. The total number of this

phenomenon is increasing each year. According to the United Nations Children Fund

(UNICEF), teenage pregnancy refers to girls who have not attained the legal adult age,

which varies around the world. Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent

pregnancy, is pregnancy in a female under the age of 20. Pregnancy can occur with

sexual intercourse after the start of ovulation, which can be before the first menstrual

period (menarche) but usually occurs after the onset of periods. In well-nourished girls,

the first period usually takes place around the age of 12 or 13.

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same pregnancy related issues as other women.

There are additional concerns for those under the age of 15 as they are less likely to be

physically developed to sustain a healthy pregnancy or to give birth. For girls aged 15–

19, risks are associated more with socioeconomic factors than with the biological effects

of age. Risks of low birth weight, premature labor, anemia, and preeclampsia are

connected to biological age, as they are observed in teen births even after controlling

for other risk factors, such as access to prenatal care. In addition, Philippines is one of

the Asian nations with a similar issue. One out of every young Filipino woman between

the ages of 15 and 19 is either a mother already or is expecting her first child. In a

study, the following factors were used as contributing causes for teenage pregnancy are

lack of sexuality education, inadequate use of contemporary contraception, cultural

observance, socioeconomic dependency of females on males, and peer pressure. In

local survey, Davao City has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines,

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with 15.9%. It has the highest number of teenage pregnancy cases due to Covid-19

pandemic. In 2021, the city registered 2,925 teen pregnancies among the 15 to 19-year-

old age group, which dropped from 3,464 in 2020. This issue is still growing and one of

the unsolvable problems that the city is facing right now. According to Sunstar news,

Davao Region ranked as the highest among the regions in the country on teenage

pregnancy, based on the population survey conducted in 2020.

In this matter, we can say that a lot of teenagers are lack of knowledge when it comes

to teenage pregnancy issue. We cannot say that the parents are the reason why

teenagers are involved with this issue. Either, we cannot blame the teenagers as well

knowing that they are also lack of knowledge when it comes about it. Thus, this

research will reach the depth of the problem to put conclusion of what is the main

reason why a lot of teenagers are unaware of this matter.

II. Statement and Scope of the problem

Teen pregnancy has become a national epidemic, in part because an increasing

number of teenage mothers choose to keep and they rear their kids. When only children

have their own children, it comes at a significant cost to individuals, families, and society

as a whole. According to Mwaba (2000), adolescent pregnancies are increasingly

prevalent among young people who have experienced hardship and low expectations

for their educational experience or the employment market. Unwanted, frequently

undesired adolescent pregnancies can result from unprotected sexual encounters seen

as a severe social and health issue. According to Richter and Mlambo (2005), teen

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pregnancy seems to be fostered by the absence of sex education access. Some

parents are apprehensive about sex education and contraception available to their kids

because they are concerned that consider this is a green light for sexual activity.

Recognizing the complexity of adolescent pregnancy is necessary to understand about

attitudes and knowledge of teens about the use of birth control (Phipps et al. 2008).

Teens have the misconception that pregnancy arises from the first act of sexual activity,

but only when it is repeated sexual interaction. Moreover, teens are surrounded by

pictures and statements that suggest that the sexual activity Movement is the rule

(Mwaba 2000). This results in the circumstance in which among youths, it appears that

having sex is required without taking into account the fact that they should mature age

before beginning sexual activity. It opposes this background information on the

elements involved in conducted teen pregnancies.

 Interview Questions

Are you happy being pregnant?

Did you regret getting pregnant?

Did you start thinking about abortion?

If yes, did you feel like you were making the right choice about abortion plan?

Do your parents know about this?

Are your parents happy when they find out?

If not, did they become angry to know you became pregnant?

Were they disappointed when they found out you were pregnant?

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 Did they continue to support you even if you became an early parent?

Are you having a difficult time during your pregnancy in your education?

Did your pregnancy affect your academics?

Have you encountered bullying while you were pregnant?

How did your pregnancy affect being in elementary/high school/college at the

time?

Do you use condoms when you are having sex?

Is using condoms effective when having sex?

Are you using the withdrawal method when you are having sex?

Is withdrawal method is effective to avoid teenage pregnancy?

Did you practice abstinence?

How successful is abstinence only sex education reduces teen pregnancy?

 Campaign

This action plan aims to increase children's awareness of sexual safety. Through this

campaign, it targets children 12–19 years old to help them become conscious of their

sexual lives. Especially nowadays, teenagers in this age range are intrigued to perform

this kind of action. Thus, in order to prevent early pregnancy, this plan aims for

awareness among individuals, parents, and particularly the teenagers who were active

in sex life to be aware of safe sex, apply contraceptive pills, provide parents’ guidance

for their children, provide emotional and mental support for teenagers who became

early parents, and to raise awareness also among the peers that a teenage would be

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surrounded by for them to have a perception on what would be the effect of teenage

pregnancy. As a conclusion, we aim to have a symposium for teenagers, parents, and

the society to have discernment in this problem specifically in Davao City, which has to

be stated as having one of the largest numbers of teenage pregnancies in the country.

III. Possible Solution

Teenage pregnancy is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. Here

are some solutions that could help prevent teenage pregnancy:

1. Comprehensive sex education: Comprehensive sex education programs should

be implemented in schools, community centers, and health clinics. These programs

should provide accurate information about sexual health.

2. Access to contraception: Access to contraception should be made easier and

affordable for teenagers. This can be achieved through health clinics and family

planning services.

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3. Support for pregnant teenagers: Pregnant teenagers need emotional and financial

support to ensure they have a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. This support

can come from family, friends, or healthcare providers.

4. Parental involvement: Parents should be involved in their teenager's sexual health

education and be encouraged to have open and honest conversations about sex

and contraception

5. Addressing socio-economic factors: Socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack

of education, and unemployment are often associated with teenage pregnancy.

Addressing these factors can help reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy.

6.Peer education: Peer education programs can help teenagers learn from their

peers about sexual health, contraception, and pregnancy prevention. These

programs can be conducted in schools, community centers, and youth groups.

7. Counseling services: Counseling services should be available to teenagers who

have experienced teenage pregnancy. These services can help them cope with the

challenges of being a teenage parent and provide them with support and guidance.

Overall, preventing teenage pregnancy requires a comprehensive approach that

addresses both the individual and societal factors that contribute to the problem.

In conclusion, developing a community plan for teenage pregnancy requires a

comprehensive approach that involves engagement with stakeholders, identification

of the problem, development of a strategy, implementation of the plan, evaluation,

and ongoing community involvement. By taking these steps, communities can help

prevent teenage pregnancy and support those who do become pregnant.

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 IV. Significance of the Study

The purpose of the study is to determine the severity of the key contributing factors to

teen pregnancies. The findings of this study are useful for students, parents, teachers,

researchers, and other interested parties for the reason that they can be used as

empirical evidence to support recommendations for reducing adolescent pregnancies in

the local community.

Community. Society contributes to improving public awareness and understanding

about matters related to reproductive health, strengthen multi - sectorial collaborations,

and create and propose adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive programs.

Moreover, it allows communities about the discernment about the effect of the abortion,

contraceptive while pregnancy, and health related due to teenage pregnancy

Parents. The awareness of their predicament and their obligations as both parents and

children, and the parents could benefit by empowering them to recognize their

significant role in educating their teenagers, safeguarding them, and discouraging them

from engaging in early sex, particularly if they are not married. They need to be mindful

of the type of peers their teenagers hang out with.

Teenagers. Young adults will acquire concerning about the realities of being a young

adult.  Mother as well as the causes and potential effects of teenage pregnancy on their

studies. This will help one way or another by directing them to put their education first

rather than romantic relationships.

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Administration and Faculty. Administrators and Faculty receive information from this

to support, promote, and increase understanding of initiatives aimed at helping student

mothers deal with their circumstances. In order to better deal with students and prevent

early pregnancy, administrators may choose to increase sex education at their

institution and enhance faculty or teacher understanding through seminars. The

researcher believed that the findings of this study would be extremely beneficial to other

researchers in the future as well as to everyone who is interested in learning more

about teenage pregnancies, their causes, and any potential implications on their

scholastic development.

Future Researchers. For the Future researchers will broaden their knowledge about

the experience of being a student mother as well as the effects on their lives. Moreover,

it can contribute with progressing preventative plans and substantial proof training

materials for health care organizations to optimize the care provided individuals during

pregnancy.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, this community action plan evolves with the essence of "health

education." This acts as an "eye opener" to encourage people specifically the teenagers

to get involved in the public awareness, planning, execution, and assessment of the

initiatives that would create sustainable development. Being actively involved is

necessary for success. To fully inform students about the effects and disadvantages of

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early pregnancy, sex education should be included in the intermediate and secondary

school curricula as soon as possible.

VI. Recommendations

Teenage pregnancy is a significant problem that affects the lives of many young girls

and their families. It is a complex issue that requires a multi-pronged approach to

prevent it and support those who are affected by it. In this community action plan, we

will provide recommendations on how to address teenage pregnancy and its solutions.

One of the main recommendations is to increase access to education and information

on sexual and reproductive health. Many teenagers lack the knowledge and

understanding of contraception, safe sex, and pregnancy prevention. To address this,

schools should provide comprehensive sex education programs that cover topics such

as abstinence, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. These programs

should be age-appropriate and evidence-based and should involve parents and

guardians to ensure that they are also informed.

Another recommendation is to increase access to contraception. Teenagers who

engage in sexual activity need access to reliable and affordable contraception to

prevent unintended pregnancies. This could include condoms, birth control pills, or other

forms of contraception. Healthcare providers, schools, and youth organizations should

work together to ensure that teenagers have access to contraception without judgment

or stigma.

The third recommendation is to promote positive relationships and communication.

Teenagers need a safe and supportive environment where they can talk openly with

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their parents or guardians, peers, and healthcare providers about sex and pregnancy.

This can help them make informed decisions and reduce the risk of unintended

pregnancies. Parents and guardians should also create an open and supportive

environment where teenagers feel comfortable discussing sexual health issues.

Finally, it is essential to address the root causes of teenage pregnancy. These include

poverty, lack of education, and inadequate access to healthcare. Addressing these

issues can reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy by empowering young people

and providing them with the resources they need to make informed decisions about

their lives.

In conclusion, teenage pregnancy is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive

approach to prevent it and support those who are affected by it. Increasing access to

education and information on sexual and reproductive health, increasing access to

contraception, promoting positive relationships and communication, providing support to

pregnant teenagers, and addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancy are all

essential steps towards reducing its incidence. By working together, we can empower

young people and provide them with the tools they need to make healthy and informed

choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

VII. References

Mwaba, K., 2000, ‘Perceptions of teenage pregnancy among South African

adolescents’,

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Health SA Gesondheid 5(3), 30–35.

Ritcher, M.S. & Mlambo, G.T., 2005, ‘Perceptions of rural teenagers on teenage

pregnancy’, Health SA Gesondheid 10(2), 61–69.

Phipps, M.G., Rosengard, C., Weitzen, S., Meers, A. & Billikoff, Z., 2008, ‘Age group

differences among pregnant adolescent sexual behaviour, health habits and

contraceptive use, Journal of Paediatric and Adolsecent Gynecology 21(1), 9–15.

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Lauren M.; Agénor, Madina; Grimstad, Frances W.; Katz-Wise, Sabra L. (2020).

Unintended and teen pregnancy experiences of trans masculine people living in the

United States. International Journal of Transgender Health, (), 1–12.

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