Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Pathways to Adolescent Pregnancy in Southeast Asia: Qualitative Evidence From Lived Experiences of Girls in Four
Marie Habito1, Elissa C Kennedy2, Stephen Bell3
1Global Adolescent Health, Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Children's Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Global Adolescent Health, Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Purpose:
Historically, adolescent pregnancy has been conceptualized as an outcome of child marriage, but in Southeast Asia, the contexts and drivers of adolescent pregnancy are less well-understood. This study examines the relationship between adolescent pregnancy and child marriage and explores the drivers of pregnancy in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Malaysia among adolescents who have experienced pregnancy.
Methods:
Using participatory timeline interviews, we conducted semistructured interviews with 260 adolescent girls aged 15-21 years with lived experience of pregnancy in urban and rural settings in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Malaysia. Data were analyzed using an inductive framework approach to allow within and cross-case analysis and map girls' pathways to pregnancy.
Results:
We found diverse pathways to adolescent pregnancy occurring outside and within unions. Pathways diverged according to nature of sexual experience leading to pregnancy (consensual, pressured, forced), girls' relationships (romantic or not), pregnancy intention (unintended, partner-led and intended), and union initiation (peer-, partner- or parent-led, or no union). Common drivers of pregnancy included lack of sexual and reproductive health information, low contraceptive use, girls' limited agency in sexual and contraceptive decision-making, and limited access to health services, alongside community acceptance of child marriage.
Discussion:
Adolescent girls' lived experiences highlight key and differing points in their pathways to pregnancy where there are opportunities for policies and programs to address girls' specific needs and contexts.
More Related Videos
09:03Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy
Published on: August 25, 2019
09:33Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India
Published on: December 23, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Nondisjunction
Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Case Studies