Exploring the Culture of Teenage Pregnancy in a Refugee Camp in Rwanda

Abstract

Currently, 79.5 million people worldwide have been forced to cross international borders because of political instability and civil war in their country of origin (International Organization for Migration, 2020; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2020). Globally, 51% of refugees are under 18 years of age (International Organization for Migration, 2018; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2013). Teenage pregnancy is recognized as one of the most significant health issues for refugee youth (Maguire, 2012; Okanlawon, Reeves, & Agbaje, 2010). Teenage pregnancy is a complex phenomenon involving various factors including economics, culture, family, health care, location, age, and gender. Within the context of a refugee camp, this phenomenon is further complicated by intersecting social and political factors inherent within the circumstances. This critical ethnographic study employed an intersectionality framework to explore the culture of teenage pregnancy in Kigeme Congolese refugee camp in Rwanda. The research participants were pregnant teenagers and unmarried teenage mothers within the camp, as well as other stakeholders. Purposive and snowball sampling were used. Data were collected using participant observation, and individual and focus group interviews. Thematic analysis of the findings produced inductively emergent themes: factors contributing to refugee teenage pregnancy; effect of pregnancy on teenagers, parents, and community; culture as a determinant of teenage pregnancy; impact of social determinants of health on teenage pregnancy; factors that intersect with teenage pregnancy; and suggestions to help decrease teenage pregnancy rates as noted by participants.