Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos
BackgroundTeenage 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 b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Global Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.986145/full |
| _version_ | 1811158315008262144 |
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| author | Souksamone Thongmixay Souksamone Thongmixay Dirk Essink Taewee Kahrs Viengnakhone Vongxay Viengnakhone Vongxay Pamela Wright Vanphanom Sychareun Jacqueline E. W. Broerse |
| author_facet | Souksamone Thongmixay Souksamone Thongmixay Dirk Essink Taewee Kahrs Viengnakhone Vongxay Viengnakhone Vongxay Pamela Wright Vanphanom Sychareun Jacqueline E. W. Broerse |
| author_sort | Souksamone Thongmixay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundTeenage 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.MethodsThis 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 (n = 10). Digital recordings were transcribed verbatim, summarised and thematically analysed using an inductive analysis and exploratory approach.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionParticipants 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:22:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-699168a943284f7ab2a4f0f44807a468 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:22:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Global Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-699168a943284f7ab2a4f0f44807a4682023-03-08T06:53:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Global Women's Health2673-50592023-03-01410.3389/fgwh.2023.986145986145Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in LaosSouksamone Thongmixay0Souksamone Thongmixay1Dirk Essink2Taewee Kahrs3Viengnakhone Vongxay4Viengnakhone Vongxay5Pamela Wright6Vanphanom Sychareun7Jacqueline E. W. Broerse8Faculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, LaosAthena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsAthena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsAthena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFaculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, LaosAthena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsGuelph International Health Consulting, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFaculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, LaosAthena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsBackgroundTeenage 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.MethodsThis 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 (n = 10). Digital recordings were transcribed verbatim, summarised and thematically analysed using an inductive analysis and exploratory approach.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionParticipants 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.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.986145/fulladolescent motherhood experiencesperi-urbanexclusionteenage pregnancyabortion (attitudes toward) |
| spellingShingle | Souksamone Thongmixay Souksamone Thongmixay Dirk Essink Taewee Kahrs Viengnakhone Vongxay Viengnakhone Vongxay Pamela Wright Vanphanom Sychareun Jacqueline E. W. Broerse Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos Frontiers in Global Women's Health adolescent motherhood experiences peri-urban exclusion teenage pregnancy abortion (attitudes toward) |
| title | Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos |
| title_full | Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos |
| title_fullStr | Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos |
| title_full_unstemmed | Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos |
| title_short | Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos |
| title_sort | isolation the experience of adolescent motherhood in laos |
| topic | adolescent motherhood experiences peri-urban exclusion teenage pregnancy abortion (attitudes toward) |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2023.986145/full |
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