Early pregnancy in schools: a socio-ecological analysis of the determinants among teenage girls in Koudougou, Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT Introduction Early pregnancy among adolescents in school has several consequences on the adolescent herself, her family, the whole community, and the child-to-be. This article explores the factors determining early pregnancy among 15-19-year-old secondary school students in Koudougou in Burkina Faso. Methods A descriptive and exploratory qualitative study was conducted through focus groups with adolescents and youth in schools and individual interviews with parents, teachers, health workers, and community leaders. The socio-ecological model guided all stages of the study. A thematic analysis of the recorded and transcribed data was conducted using Nvivo 12 software. Results A lack of knowledge and information and wrong perceptions about sexuality at the individual level; peer pressure and poverty at the interpersonal level; lack of awareness among teachers and students and health workers’ attitudes at the organizational level; the influence of new information technologies or the media and parents’ irresponsibility at the community level; and the insufficient of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents as well as the lack of sanctions and law against early pregnancy at the political level were found as enablers. Barriers were the use of contraceptive methods and sexual abstinence; parents-children communication; teachers’ training on sexual sensitization, the creation of youth centers on school campuses and the introduction of sexual education courses; education through media and religion; willingness to introduce sexual education courses in school curricula and legal sanctioning of dealing and consuming drugs in schools. Conclusion The study highlighted that the problem of early pregnancy in schools can be solved by acting on the determinants at all levels of the socioecological model by implementing preventive strategies.