Alarming surge in teen pregnancies grips South Africa amid global decline

Clarence Ford interviews Dr Naz Daniels, member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists.

Listen below.

Despite a worldwide decrease in birth rates among adolescents aged 15 to 19, South Africa is experiencing a troubling increase in pregnancies among teenagers.

Specifically, on Christmas Day in 2023, 145 out of 1708 births were to teenage mothers, and on New Year's Day, there were 190 teenage births, including two 14-year-olds from the provinces of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape.

This uptick can be linked to socio-economic challenges, insufficient sex education, gender-based violence, and restricted access to contraception.

Experts have warned of the far-reaching consequences of early childbearing, affecting education, livelihoods, and health, including mental health impacting both mother and child.  

This week marks National Pregnancy Awareness Week from 6 to 10 February, which is aimed at promoting health during pregnancy and early motherhood.

One in three women suffer with some form of mental health symptoms during and after pregnancy – for teen or adolescent pregnancies, this goes up by 30%.

Symptoms include:

• Depression
• Anxiety and panic disorders
• Self-harm and suicide

Unfortunately, heaving mental illness during pregnancy can affect ones pregnancy outcome, says Daniels.

She says that it's important for society and healthcare professionals to create a safe space where they're able to explore their sexuality, while informing them of the consequences.

"They are not emotionally mature enough to deal with all that pregnancy and becoming a parent might bring."

Dr Naz Daniels, Member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists

"I think that we are obviously not doing well enough in terms of sex education and empowering people to understand what is available to them."

Dr Naz Daniels, Member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists

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