Social Geographical study on early adolescent pregnancy: a case study in the Warakapola divisional secretariat division

Abstract

Early adolescent pregnancy (within the age groups of 10-19) has become a critical issue in the contemporary world as well as in Sri Lanka. This leads to cripple the society in many ways since it has already created many problems in terms of socio-economic, cultural, and family problems around the world. As a developing country, where majority of Sri Lankan yet live in economically backward rural areas the problem of early adolescent pregnancy has become a critical barrier to the development process. The present paper discusses the issue in detail pertaining to the three mid-wife areas in Warakapola divisional secretariat division. Data was collected for this study, mainly through the field studies using questionnaire. As sample of 30 mothers out of 87 cases recorded, for 2000-2006 was selected for the survey. Statistical methods and the Geographical Information Systems have assisted for data analysis. According to the study poverty is the main reason to the process. The mental poverty was the outstanding problem among these. And also the educational level, caste system, level of living, and degree of social integrity strongly affect the intensity of occurrence of early adolescent pregnancy in the study area. Majority of the early adolescent mothers live with their legal husbands. Many mothers are worried about their fate, but some of them are satisfied with their family life and children. Their main request is a permanent source of income to settle their basic economic problems. This study explored a single aspect of social problems, which leads to create a link with the other problems in the rural areas of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the findings of this study would be important in numerous ways to policy makers, planners and other relevant researchers, in order to assist and guide in regulating the process of granting redress for the suffering. Besides the conclusion of the study suggests certain measures to lessen the impact of this issue.