Socio-economic and Cultural Determinants of Adolescent Pregnancy in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe adolescent pregnancy is a problem of education and development particularly in the more marginalised rural and peri-urban communities. This chapter focuses on the interplay between socio-economic disadvantage and cultural norms and considers its impact on adolescents' vulnerability to pregnancy. Its aims were to examine household- and community-level determinants, to explore gendered cultural expectations, and to uncover institutional barriers to education, to social protection and adolescent-responsive health services. It was an interpretive study based on a qualitative multiple case study design in three selected districts, in rural, farming and peri-urban areas. 45 subjects were chosen in maximum-variation purposive sampling which comprised of 15 adolescent mothers, nine parents/guardians, six teachers, six health, three social workers, three traditional leaders and three religious leaders. 33 semi-structured interviews and three focus-group discussions were conducted where data were generated. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from the analysis: household economic precarity; educational exclusion; gendered power inequalities; cultural and religious control of adolescent behavior; and lack of or stigmatizing support services. The chapter ends with a conclusion noting the role of the intersection of structural and cultural inequalities to produce adolescent pregnancy. It suggests making sure that those who have left school are re-entry, social protection, adolescent responsive services, implementation of laws on child marriage and community led norm change, including involving parents, traditional and religious leaders, and boys/men.

Keywords: adolescent pregnancy, socio-economic determinants, cultural norms, gender inequality, Zimbabwe