Social Support Networks Available to Adolescent Mother in Nigeria: Case Study of Ife-East Local Government, Osun- State

Abstract

Adolescent mother with children outside marriage are current issues of debate among people in the world today, especially in the 21st century. Thus, when teenagers get pregnant, the potential harm to the mother, the child and society at large can be very far-reaching, especially because their bodies are not fully developed to meet challenges of carrying the pregnancy and child birth. This study essentially seeks to understand forms of network of social support are available to adolescent mother, challenges faced by adolescent mother and intervention that could be used to improve the health status and well-being of adolescent mother. The study engaged both social practice theory in advancing understanding on the subject matter. The study was conducted in Ife-East Local Government, Osun- State, Nigeria employed qualitative method of data collection using in-depth interview as instruments. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings from this study revealed that social support available to adolescent mother are limited and most time comes from the teen mother’s and among other recommendations, strongly recommended Government could also create an enabling environment that will guarantee affordable health and wellbeing for adolescent mothers, also could vigorously pursue policies that will empowered youths and engaged on reproductive health seminar  that will aid in eradication of crisis of disputed paternity and fatherless children.