Causes and consequences of early pregnancy on the social lives of teenage mothers in the Mabanga-Sud neighbourhood, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The phenomenon of early pregnancy is a major concern for public health and social development. This study aims to analyse the causes and consequences of early pregnancy, as well as prevention strategies, in the Mabanga-Sud neighbourhood of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study adopted a quantitative approach and a descriptive cross-sectional design involving 112 teenage mothers selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Following data analysis, the results revealed that bad company (45.5 per cent) and poverty (30.4 per cent) were the main causes reported by the participants. Maternal and infant mortality was the most frequently cited consequence (34.8 per cent). With regard to prevention strategies, 39.3 per cent of participants prioritised raising awareness of contraceptive methods, followed by socio-economic integration (34.8 per cent) and access to education for all (25.9 per cent). These findings highlight the need to strengthen sex education, the prevention of sexual violence, socio-economic support and the retention of adolescent girls in the education system in order to better prevent early pregnancies and limit their social and health consequences.

Keywords: early pregnancies, causes, consequences, teenage mothers, prevention, social life.

Received Date: August 17, 2026

Accepted Date: September 09, 2026

Published Date: October 01, 2026

Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/1035