Adolescent Pregnancy: A Phenomenological Approach

Pregnancy before the age of 20 carries a higher risk of complications during both pregnancy and childbirth. Adolescent pregnancy is a global issue that contributes significantly, up to five times more, to maternal and neonatal mortality rates. In Central Maluku Regency, the incidence of adolescent pregnancy continues to rise, with the highest prevalence among those aged 15–19 years. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of adolescent mothers during pregnancy. A qualitative method with a phenomenological approach was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews to explore the lived experiences of adolescent mothers. The stages of qualitative data analysis included data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The research subjects comprised key informants, including adolescent mothers (aged 10–19), parents of adolescents, healthcare workers, and teachers (aged 30–50). The findings revealed four main themes: (1) health issues among pregnant adolescents, (2) health risks to the baby, (3) psychological impacts on the adolescents, and (4) social consequences. The study concludes that adolescent pregnancy has negative impacts on physical, psychological, and social well-being, largely due to the biological immaturity of the adolescent body.