Abstract

Adolescence is a period between 10 to 19years where several physical and emotional changes occur (WHO, 2014). As they do not always understand these changes, they are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure and to exposure to several reproductive health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases (STD) including HIV, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Furthermore, the Sustainable Developmental goal (SDG 3) ensure the universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services by 2030, so adolescents need and have the right to a comprehensive sexual education and to have better access to contraceptive information and services. This will reduce the number of teenage pregnancy. The right to have access to quality antenatal care to pregnant teenagers or safe termination of pregnancy if permitted was highlighted. The legislations regarding the legal age of marriage at 18year is implemented in the republic of Mauritius and in Rodrigues island. In Rodrigues, despite the availability of several prevention programs on sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy in schools and in the community by Commission for Health namely AIDS Secretariat, Commission for Youth and NGOs such as Action Familiale, both are on the rise. This study is a participatory action research which will be conducted by the community for the community to explore the predisposing factors and impact of teenage pregnancy on the teenager, the partner and their parents in Rodrigues island. The aims of this research is to find the gaps between what is actually being done to reduce the number of teenage pregnancy and what are the actual needs. A pilot community-based intervention will be implemented by setting-up of a center for capacity building of pregnant teenager and teen mothers. In Rodrigues, often after delivery, the teenage mother come for one post-natal visit and afterward there is not follow up till they come again for another pregnancy. By empowering teenage mothers, the expected outcomes are the reduction of child neglect and incidence of recurrent teenage pregnancy and STIs. By providing a holistic support on social and psychological aspect, the teenage have better life skills to cope with motherhood and their future life.