Family planning dialogue: Identifying the
key determinants of young women’s use and
selection of contraception in Namibia |
Authors: |
Nelago Indongo, Kammila Naidoo |
Source: |
African Sociological Review, 12, 2, 2008, pp.98-116 |
Topic(s): |
Contraception Family planning Women's health Youth
|
Country: |
Africa
Namibia
|
Published: |
AUG 2008 |
Abstract: |
[NO ABSTRACT]
Background
Irrespective of the overriding socioeconomic and political milieu, young women in the
age group 15-24 years are recurrently exposed to sexual and reproductive health risks
and infections, as well as unintended pregnancy and childbirth (Mfono 1998; Al Azar
1999; Meekers & Klein 2002; Creel & Perry 2003; Prata et al., 2005). The
acknowledgement that young women are ‘at risk’ of unplanned pregnancies, or are
‘vulnerable’ to infections, has invited much research into the social and demographic
dynamics of this life phase and to the devising of programmes to address reproductive
health agendas. UN reports (for example, World Youth Report 2003; UNFPA 2004)
indicate a global decline in unwanted teenage pregnancies, but a high proportion,
nonetheless, of premarital births still occurring among young women who are
economically and emotionally ill-equipped for motherhood (Creel & Perry 2003).
Facilitating young women’s abilities to take charge of their sexual and reproductive
health would be central to reducing unwanted fertility and to improving their general
situation in society. |
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