Abstract: Globally, regionally in Africa, adolescent pregnancy and parenting pose serious global public health concerns, particularly affecting the mental health of teenage mothers which may result to depression, stressed and if not prevented and controlled, may lead to a suicide manner of death. In Rwanda, 5% of adolescent girls aged 15–19 have begun childbearing, with Muhanga District reporting the highest rate at 12%. Among adolescent mothers attending secondary schools in this district, the prevalence of social and cultural factors influencing mental health disorders is 48.9%. However, little is known about the same study in Muhanga District. This led to a study of Social-Cultural Factors Influencing Mental Health among Pregnancy and Parenting Adolescent Mothers Attending Secondary Schools in Muhanga District, specifically determining the main social-cultural factors influencing mental health among teenage girls and assess how Knowledge, attitude and practice of the study population influence the increased teenager pregnant and mental health in Muhanga district.The study is descriptive cross-sectional, used mixed-methods approach, of surveys and interviews on targeted adolescent mothers aged 15–19. Learning in secondary schools, Sampling techniques used were Purposive and snowball, with a sample size of 235 determined by Fisher’s formula (1998). Data was managed by SPSS version and analysed by cross tabulation of descriptive and inferential statistics in interviews was by thematic analysis reaching saturation and written as a caption. Results showed that majority of respondent was 52%, (158), were 19 years old. The study revealed that 60.9% (164), of adolescent mothers had limited sex reproductive health information from the school environment with significant value, p values 0.028), social-cultural factors influencing teenager mental health was significant with 95CI and, p < 0.031), unsupportive school environments (χ² = 133.88, df = 4, p < 0.001), difficulties balancing school and parenting responsibilities. The results from Knowledge Attitudes and Practices showed that The majorityof teenage girls had limited awareness on mental health issues, 50.2%(118), need improved counselling services 49%, (115),
Keywords: Sociocultural, Adolescent pregnancy, mental health and secondary schools.
Title: Social-Cultural Factors Influencing Mental Health Among Pregnant and Parenting Adolescent Mothers Attending Secondary Schools in Muhanga District, Rwanda
Author: Umugwaneza Marie Alice, Maurice B. Silali
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Vol. 13, Issue 1, April 2025 - September 2025
Page No: 319-328
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 26-June-2025
