Evaluation of the opinions of midwifery students on adolescent pregnancy: A phenomenological qualitative study in eastern Turkey

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent pregnancy is a major health problem that is significantly associated with adverse impacts on the health of both teenage mothers and their newborns. This study was conducted to evaluate the opinions of midwifery students on adolescent pregnancy. METHODS: The participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Thirty-seven students studying at the final year of the midwifery department were interviewed in the study in Erzurum, Turkey, in 2018. The interviews were analyzed by the phenomenological qualitative method. RESULTS: Students thought that adolescent pregnancy was a social problem in addition to its maternal and fetal risks. The students indicated that adolescent pregnancy was perceived as normal in a family in which cultural values were important (especially in those families that live in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions). Only one student attracted attention to the effect of the media in this respect. The students stated that adolescent pregnancy was a social problem, and a multidisciplinary approach was required for its solution. CONCLUSIONS: Our qualitative study provides insight into the role of adolescent pregnancy in Turkey. Participants expressed the idea that increasing the education level of girls and raising awareness among mothers may be an effective solution to the problem. The students were aware that adolescent pregnancy was an important social problem.