Psychological consequences of teenage pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Adolescent pregnancies are a major public health issue across sub-Saharan Africa and can result in serious psychological effects on the young mothers. This scoping review explores in detail the psychological burdens experienced by pregnant teenage girls and adolescent mothers in this region. 

 Methods: A scoping review of literature was conducted. Relevant databases were searched using key terms related to the topic, with the aid of the PCC search framework. Thereafter, the screening process was carried out first by excluding duplicates of studies selected from the database, followed by a title and abstract then full text screening. Studies were selected against the set inclusion and exclusion criteria which resulted to 13 relevant studies being included from various sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana. 

 Results: The findings revealed a range of psychological impacts, such as depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and stigmas, consistently reported across the included studies. Additionally, some studies also identified suicide thoughts. Contextual factors, including unplanned pregnancies, lack of social support, poverty, disrupted education, history of mental illness, intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence, and diseases were identified as contributors to the psychological distress experienced by these young women. The proposed interventions and strategies to mitigate these issues included counselling services and support systems, economic empowerment programs, and community-based support systems. 

 Conclusion: The review highlighted an urgent need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive intervention that not only addresses the mental health elements identified but also its root causes, which are majorly socio-economic and culturally embedded. Recommendations include tailoring mental health service provision, strengthening community- based support systems, improving access to comprehensive education and youth-friendly reproductive health services, sustainable economic empowerment, and prioritizing research and capacity-building initiatives. Overall, this scoping review emphasises that improving psychological well-being among pregnant teenagers and adolescent mothers is a necessary requirement for breaking the intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and supporting inclusive societal development initiatives in sub-Saharan African countries.