Exploring Adolescent Characteristics, Experiences and Socio-environmental Responses on Premarital Pregnancy in Central Java Indonesia

¹ Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, 50275 Semarang, Indonesia
² Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, 55281 Yogyakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: shaluhiyah.zahroh@gmail.com

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the phenomena of premarital pregnancy by exploring adolescent characteristics, experiences and socio- environmental responses. It employs descriptive study and phenomenology approach using in-depth interviews to explore adolescent’s premarital pregnancy experiences. A total of 49 adolescents aged 12-19 years with premarital pregnancy were willing to participate in this study and 10 respondents were interviewed in more deeply. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The average age of the respondents were 17 years old and most of them had low educational level. Their knowledge on sexual and reproductive health was categorized as lack of knowledge. Nearly half of them were more permissive so that partner influence to have sex is main factor that is difficult to resist by the respondents. Parents and community responses were initially forced to resist their premarital pregnancy, but it gradually became normally accept. Premarital pregnancy was more influenced by peer’s permissive attitude, frequent access to pornography, and lack of parental supervision. There were four respondents who tried to seek abortion. It is recommended to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education to adolescents in order to prevent premarital pregnancy.