HIV and Pregnancy among African Teens
Identify your selected empirical research problem (HIV and Pregnancy among African teen) and the units
of analysis. Include support for these units as being reasonable for comparison and how you would avoid
the ecological and individualistic fallacies.
Determine two researchable hypotheses based on your research problem (HIV and Pregnancy among
African teen). For each hypothesis, identify the independent, dependent, and control variables. Moreover,
estimate expected changes in the magnitude and relations between the dependent and independent
variables.
HIV AND PREGNANCY AMONG AFRICAN TEENS 2
HIV and Pregnancy among African teens
Problem Statement
HIV and Pregnancy among African teen rates are constantly increasing as per the
international comparison. The problem leads to school dropout, causes future unemployment
among the youth, preterm birth and mental disturbances which results into poor mental health.
Objectives
The objectives of this study are to determine and understand the attitudes and perception
of teenagers in Africa concerning early pregnancies in teenagers. The other objective is to
determine the understanding of the teenagers concerning sexuality and use of contraceptives to
prevent infection of sexually transmitted diseases. This study will contribute to the knowledge
concerning HIV and teenage pregnancy in Africa. In addition, the study will pursue the deeper
understanding of how the youth perceive early pregnancy and to identify factors in their own
view that can prevent this problem.
Researchable hypothesis
- The teenagers in Africa do not understand sexuality and use of contraceptives to prevent
infection of sexually transmitted diseases. - The teenagers in Africa do not understand the effects of early pregnancies in their own
life.
The study will involve qualitative data. The independent variables for the study will
include the need to prove fertility, Poor sexual negotiation skills and Poverty. The dependent
variables will include Peer pressure from boyfriends or the social networks, the need to prove
HIV AND PREGNANCY AMONG AFRICAN TEENS 3
one’s fertility and Socio economic factors. The control variables on the other hand will include:
Pregnant teenagers, Teenage girls who are aged 16-19 years who have never had who had never
been pregnant and Teenagers who had a baby while they were teenagers (Bastien, Leshabari &
Klepp , 2009.12).
Expected results
- The teenagers being ignorant about the consequences of early pregnancy and of having
unprotected sex - The teenagers engage in early sex due to poverty
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References
Bastien S, Leshabari MT, Klepp KI, (2009) Exposure to information and communication about
HIV/AIDS and perceived credibility of information sources among young people in
northern Tanzania. African Journal of AIDS Research, 2009; 8(2):213–22.
