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Abstract

Unmarried pregnant adolescent girls face unique challenges in accessing healthcare services and navigating social stigma. The study assessed the lived experiences of unmarried pregnant adolescent girls attending selected Primary Health Care in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to capture the subjective experiences of unmarried pregnant adolescent girls. Participants (15) were purposively selected from some primary healthcare facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather rich narrative data on participants' experiences, perceptions, and challenges related to pregnancy and healthcare access. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and patterns within the data. The study revealed that 70% of the participants experienced stigma and discrimination from various sources, including family members, peers, and healthcare providers. The findings indicate that 76.7% of the participants faced challenges in receiving sufficient support from their family members and partners, encompassing financial, emotional, and practical assistance. The findings indicate that 73% of the participants encountered various obstacles, including financial constraints, transportation difficulties, long wait times at healthcare facilities, and perceived lack of confidentiality. Also, 96.6% of the participants experienced disrupted education due to their pregnancy, leading to limited opportunities for academic advancement and exacerbating feelings of insecurity and uncertainty about their future. Social stigma and discrimination, coupled with a lack of support from family members and partners, create significant barriers to accessing essential maternal healthcare services. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to create supportive environments and dismantle systemic barriers.

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Pregnant Adolescent Girls Unmarried Lived Experiences

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Uhuegbulem, G. E., Yarhere, I., & Aluko , J. (2024). Lived Experiences Of Unmarried Pregnant Adolescent Girls Attending Primary Health Care In Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Journal of Public Health and Toxicological Research, 2(2), 79–85. https://doi.org/10.60787/jphtr.vol2no2.36
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