An exploration of preventive measures of unwanted pregnancies among teenage secondary school girls in Chunya district.

This study explored preventive measures teenage girls use to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It was guided by three specific objectives which aimed at establishing types of contraception used; assessments of the effectiveness of the identified contraception and suggestion of the perceived ways through which teenagers can maintain abstinence. The study employed a qualitative cum quantitative research approach to collect data from 80 respondents who were randomly depicted from four sampled schools of Isangawana, Makongrosi, Mtande and Lupa. Face to face interviews and documentary methods were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25 and EXCEL to generate frequencies, percentages, tables, and cross-tabulations used to prepare the report. Findings revealed that rural teenage girls have a fair knowledge of their physiological body changes and how these changes are related to pregnancies occurrence. They possess good knowledge of the different types of contraception used to relieve one from getting unwanted pregnancies. Condoms and injectables are the common contraception teenage girls think if well used can enable them to avoid unwanted pregnancies. The degree of use, however, is very low due to the lack of access to perceived contraception. The study suggests that teenage pregnancies can be combated through the promotion of comprehensive sexuality education in collaboration with increased parents’ openness to teenage girls over reproductive and sexual health matters. Keywords: Teenage Girls, Reproductive Health, Sexuality Education, Rural Secondary schools