ASSESSING THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN ADDRESSING TEENAGE PREGNANCY

ABSTRACT Teenage pregnancy continues to pose a major social and public health challenge, especially in developing areas where young people often lack adequate guidance, education, and support systems. This study examined the role and effectiveness of school and community support structures in addressing teenage pregnancy at Angilan National High School in Aloguinsan, Cebu. It specifically explored the demographic characteristics of respondents, identified perceived factors contributing to teenage pregnancy, assessed the effectiveness of existing interventions, and analyzed the relationship between community support services and the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. A descriptive-correlational design was utilized, and data were collected through a researcher-developed survey administered to 100 respondents composed of students, teachers, and parents. Statistical analyses included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation. The results indicated that teenage pregnancy is significantly shaped by inadequate sexuality education, peer influence, family-related concerns, media exposure, and financial difficulties. Respondents rated school and community interventions as moderately to highly effective, particularly highlighting reproductive health initiatives, counseling services, parental education sessions, and peer mentoring efforts. Moreover, the computed correlation revealed a strong negative relationship between the availability of community support services and the incidence of teenage pregnancy (r = –0.72, p = 0.001), suggesting that more accessible and coordinated support mechanisms contribute to lower pregnancy rates among adolescents. The study underscores the importance of integrating school-based programs with community-driven efforts to ensure that adolescents receive comprehensive education, guidance, and support. Recommendations include enhancing parent–child communication, expanding sexuality and reproductive health education, strengthening peer mentoring programs, and sustaining community support services. These findings provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and community leaders in fostering adolescent well-being and encouraging responsible decision-making. Keywords: Teenage Pregnancy, School Support, Community Support, Reproductive Health, Adolescent Well-Being, Intervention Effectiveness