article · South African Family Practice
Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant public health challenge in South Africa, where young first-time mothers frequently encounter obstacles when accessing antenatal care. A qualitative investigation examined the experiences of sixteen pregnant adolescents aged between ten and nineteen during their initial clinic visits in Gauteng province. The findings reveal that early clinic encounters generate considerable uncertainty, compounded by long waiting times, gaps in health education, and age-related anxieties. Interactions with midwives varied, encompassing both encouraging and critical exchanges, while perceived judgement and social stigma within healthcare settings undermined confidence for some attendees. Despite these hurdles, many adolescents expressed hopefulness and intended to return for subsequent appointments. The first antenatal appointment represents a pivotal moment for sustained healthcare engagement, underscoring the necessity for respectful provider communication, targeted health education, and dedicated adolescent-friendly healthcare environments.
The initial visit to an antenatal clinic strongly influences whether young mothers continue receiving essential medical care during pregnancy. Understanding the specific barriers faced by adolescents, including stigma and communication shortfalls, helps healthcare systems design respectful, age-appropriate services. Ensuring young mothers feel supported early in pregnancy encourages clinic retention, which ultimately supports better maternal and infant health outcomes.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as the findings focus on informing clinical midwifery practices, patient education, and public health policy rather than commercial technologies or products.
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BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern in South Africa, with adolescent primigravidae often facing barriers to antenatal care (ANC) access and continuation. Their first encounter with ANC services is pivotal in shaping future engagement, yet many report uncertainty, stigma and poor communication. This study explored the experiences of adolescent primigravidae during their first ANC visit in the Ekurhuleni East sub-district, Gauteng province. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was utilised. Sixteen adolescent primigravidae between the ages of 10 and 19 years were purposively chosen from designated ANC clinics and a district hospital in the Ekurhuleni East sub-district of Gauteng Province. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Creswell's six-step content analysis framework. RESULTS: Five themes emerged: (1) Initial ANC clinic visits and uncertainty; (2) negative and positive interactions with the midwives; (3) age-related concerns in the ANC settings; (4) long waiting times; and (5) information and education gaps. While many participants felt hopeful and intended to continue ANC visits, some expressed uncertainty, influenced by judgement and social stigma within the ANC setting. CONCLUSION: The first ANC is a critical window for engagement. The experiences shared emphasised the significance of respectful interactions with providers, effective communication, and an environment that is adolescent friendly and supportive in shaping their views on ANC and utilisation.Contribution: The study offers insight into adolescent-centred ANC improvements and informs recommendations for midwifery practice, health education, and policy development.
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DOI: 10.4102/safp.v68i1.6346
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