Understanding Pathways to Adolescent Pregnancy in Southeast Asia
Adolescent pregnancy is a major public health and gender priority. Over one million girls in Southeast Asia commence childbearing during adolescence every year, and complications of pregnancy and childbirth remain a leading cause of death of girls aged 15-19 years in this region.
While adolescent birth rates have been declining globally, they have increased in Southeast Asia in the past two decades. The adolescent birth rate in Southeast Asia is now higher than that of South Asia (47 v 35 births per 1000 girls aged 15-19 years).
There is a paucity of qualitative research that attempts to elucidate the drivers of adolescent pregnancy in Southeast Asia, particularly since traditional forms of child marriage and early union are less common in this region.
Objective
The aim of this project is to improve understanding of the drivers and pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Southeast Asia. The goal is to ensure that policies and programs to prevent unintended adolescent pregnancy are targeted at key points in girls’ pathways to becoming pregnant.
Timeline
2021–2022.
Approach
This multi-country qualitative study was conducted with girls in Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia and Cambodia. It used participatory methods to explore pathways to and drivers of adolescent pregnancy, and to co-develop with girls recommendations for policy and programs.
Featured publications
Contemporary pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Indonesia: A qualitative investigation with adolescent girls in West Java and Central Sulawesi
PLOS Global Public Health
Sherria Ayuandini et al
From ‘Pen Sao’ to ‘Tue Pa’: Understanding diverse pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Lao People’s Democratic Republic through qualitative investigation with girls in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Namtha
PLOS Global Public Health
Marie Habito et al
Unpacking diverse pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Cambodia: qualitative research with girls in rural, peri-urban, and urban settings
SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
Partners
Funding partners
- UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office
- UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office
Collaborators
- Indochina Research Limited Cambodia
- Empatika Indonesia
- Indochina Research Limited Laos
- Federation of Reproductive Health Association Malaysia
- UNFPA and UNICEF Cambodia Country Offices
- UNFPA and UNICEF Indonesia Country Offices
- UNFPA and UNICEF Lao PDR Country Offices
- UNFPA and UNICEF Malaysia Country Offices
Project contacts
Dr Elissa Kennedy
Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head Global Adolescent Health
Project team
Dr Marie Habito
Senior Research Officer
Dr Julie Hennegan
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Elissa Kennedy
Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head Global Adolescent Health
Chandara Gnim
Cambodia Country Lead
Indochina Research Limited Cambodia
Dr Sherria Ayuandini
Indonesia Country Lead
Empatika Indonesia
Dr Romyen Kosaikanont
Lao PDR Country Lead
Mae Fah Luang University