Experiences of Girls Dropping Out of Secondary School due to Unplanned Pregnancies in Southern Tanzania

The study assessed the experiences of girls who dropped out of secondary schools due to pregnancy to inform efforts to address challenges associated with school-age pregnancies. A cross-sectional survey using structured questions involved 165 secondary schoolgirls who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy in Rungwe district, Mbeya Region Tanzania. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Results shows that by the time girls got pregnant about 67.3 % had more than three sexual partners. The main motive for engaging in their first sexual experience was the need for money (51.6 %). Awareness of contraceptive methods and sexually transmitted diseases was fairly low. Only 14.5 % of girls knew abstinence as best method of preventing pregnancy. Almost half (46.7 %) were chased away from home after being known were pregnant and 49.1 % of their male partners denied the responsibility. Only 40 % started antenatal clinic during their first trimester as recommended by the World Health Organisation. The majority (69.1 %) experienced food problems during pregnancy and the situation worsened after delivery. Girls who get pregnant while school in Tanzania experience severe challenges. However, the solution to their problems lies within the capacity of the parents, the community and the school system.