Gender Norms and Teenage Pregnancy Attitudes Among Primary School Students in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Exploration

Gender norms significantly influence teenage pregnancy attitudes and behaviors in primary school students in Ethiopia. A qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of 50 students across five randomly selected primary schools in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Students expressed varying levels of acceptance, with some indicating they viewed teenage pregnancy as acceptable under certain circumstances (e.g., when the mother is older). Gender norms play a critical role in shaping teenage pregnancy attitudes among primary school students in Ethiopia, influencing their understanding and acceptance of such situations. Schools should incorporate gender sensitivity education into curricula to address misconceptions about teenage pregnancies.