LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF GRADE 12 GAS STUDENTS

TOWARDS THE FACTORS AFFECTING

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

A Practical Research Paper

Presented to the Senior High School Department

University of the Cordilleras

Baguio City

In Partial Fulfilment of the

Requirements of Practical Research 2

GAS

Hermosa, Art Francis

Kub-aron, Klaeede

Labinghisa, Jhade

Likkab, Ferber

Licadang, Mheldee Grace D.

Maglaya, Patricia

Merioles, Jayne

Olivar, Kim

MARCH 2019
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, the researchers would like to express our deepest appreciation to our Research
II Adviser, Ms. Carmelle Lardizabal, who has the attitude and the substance of a genius;
she continually and convincingly conveyed a spirit of adventure in regard to research and
scholarship, and an excitement in regard to teaching. Without her guidance and persistent
help this dissertation would not have been possible.

In addition, thanks to all the respondents who willingly participated in our research.
Also, the teachers who kindly permitted us to conduct our research during their class. We
appreciate those people who helped us in this academic paper and to the support of our
family, financially.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page …………………………………………………………………………. i

Acknowledgement ………………………………………………………………… ii

Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………. iii

List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………

List of Figures………………………………………………………………………

Abstract …………………………………………………………………………….

Introduction ……...................................................................................................

Method …………………………………………………………………………….

Research Design …………………………………………………………...

Research Participants ………………………………………………………

Data Gathering Procedure …………………………………………………

Treatment of Data …………………………………………………………

Ethical Consideration ……………………………………………………..

Findings …………………………………………………………………………...

Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………...

Recommendation …………………………………………………………………

References ………………………………………………………………………...

Appendices ……………………………………………………………………….

Appendix A.

Appendix B.

Appendix C.

Appendix D.

Appendix E.
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Weighted mean

32
Table 2.

33

Table 3

35

Table 4

36

Table 5

36

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.

Abstract

Today, teenagers are growing more aggressive and vulnerable than the teenagers
before. Every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been
an increase in the rate of teenage pregnancy where in 21 million girls aged 15-19 years
and 2 million girls under 15 years became pregnant in leading regions. In addition,
according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), teenage pregnancy highly contributes
to the growing population of the country by having with 9% of women aged 15-19
already becoming mothers. It only shows that somewhat teenagers may not be aware of
the factors affecting teenage pregnancy. In this study, the researchers aim to know the
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level of awareness of the grade 12 General Academic Strand students towards the factors
affecting the teenage pregnancy. Also, the factors are individually stated and discussed in
this research. The considered and selected factors directly affect teenage pregnancy and
are applicable to teens. The researchers have observed that the growing rate of early
pregnancy have to do with the awareness of teenagers and finding out the level of their
knowledge towards teen pregnancy can help future researchers in looking for alternate
solutions about this problem.

Introduction
Falling in love, developing crushes and forming romantic relationships are all parts
of a sequence which may culminate in sexual intercourse. It is frightening that the youth
of today do not seem to be afraid of falling pregnant. It is disturbing to note that though
adolescents are having sex earlier and more often, sometimes with multiple partners
lacking the basic knowledge about teenage pregnancy factors. (Moore, 2006)
Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19,
becoming pregnant. The term is everyday speech usually refers to the girls who have not
reached legal adulthood, which varies across the world, who become pregnant. There are,
however, girls as young as ten who are sexually active and occasionally become pregnant
and give birth. (Cherry, 2015)
A substantial proportion of the members of every society in the developmental
stage termed “adolescence”, otherwise called “teenage”; it is a transitional period between
the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood or maturity. It occurs roughly between
the ages of 13-17, this is a period in every person’s life when all seems to be confused.
(Bathia, 2007)
Nowadays, teenage pregnancy has become a growing concern and therefore various
causes of teenage pregnancy have become crucial. Adolescent pregnancy is a complex
issue with many reasons of concern. Teenage pregnancy is a natural occurrence that is a
poor fit with the modern society. The number of teen pregnancies and the pregnancy
outcomes are often used to support claims that teenage pregnancy is a serious social
problem. (Mollborn, 2011)
In the generation today, young people are far more ‘sexual’ and sexually active than
ever before. Teenage pregnancy is seen as the result of early sexual activeness and
according to Heaven (2001) teenage mothers are having more babies compared with a
generation ago. Moreover, the younger adolescents when having their first child are more
likely to have another child in their teenage years. (Nkwanyana, 2011)
The number of teenage pregnancies has been alarming for many years, and it seems
to be a particular problem in urban and poor areas, though it occurs across all social and
demographic lines. Teenage pregnancy is one of the major contributory factors to
population growth. The increase in population in the developing countries represents a
major obstacle to the economic development of the country. With nearly half the total
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population in these countries being below the age of fifteen, the low ratio of workers to
non-workers creates what is called a ‘burden of dependency’. (Yunusa, 2013)
There are factors affecting teenage pregnancy that includes lack of sexual education,
peer pressure, lack of proper guidance, sexual abuse/rape, and teen drinking which will be
discussed in the following paragraphs.
Lack of sexual education caused teens get abortions since they realize that they are
not ready yet to take responsibility to be a parent at such a young age and they still have
many things to chase in life. The chance of maternal death cannot be ruled out in affecting
teenage pregnancy by child. (Ogori, 2013)
The percentage of teenage pregnancy in the society is growing at along rate. It is
perceived that lack of adequate knowledge about sex education to teenage girls make them
to be sexually active which eventually leads to pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy has
pregnancy has been found to have negative and social long-lasting effects on the life of the
adolescents. (Ogori, 2013)
Teenagers who are uneducated about sex are more likely to have an unintended
pregnancy. Come teens do not fully understand the biological and emotional aspects
associated with having sex. These teens may get incorrect information from friends, videos,
sitcoms and/or movies. Many times, teens do not have the knowledge needed to make
decisions about whether or not to engage in sexual activity that can alter their life. (Males,
2010)
During adolescence, teenagers often feel pressure to make friends and fit in with
their peers. Many times, these teens let their friends influence their decision to have sexual
intercourse even when they do not fully understand the consequences associated with the
act. Teenagers have sex as a way to appear cool and sophisticated, but in some cases the
end result is an unplanned teen pregnancy. (Langham, 2015)
Teen girls are more likely to get pregnant if they have limited or no guidance from
their parents. Many parents have busy lives that prevent them from providing the guidance
and support that their young teenagers need to make good decisions on issues such as sex.
When a teen does not feel that she can talk to her parents about sex talk or because they
are not around, she will more likely turn to friends for direction on whether or not to have
sex, resulting in misinformation and possible teen pregnancy. (Lam, 2016)
Teens can become pregnant as a result of sexual abuse or rape. Between 43 and 62
percent of teens acknowledge that they were impregnated by an adult male, and two-thirds
repost that their babies’ fathers are as old 27. Approximately 5 percent of all teen births are
the result of rape. (Routledge, 2006)
Teen drinking can cause an unexpected pregnancy. Many teens experiment with
drugs and alcohol. Drinking lowers a teen’s ability to control her impulses, contributing to
75 percents of pregnancies that occur between the ages of 14 and 21. Approximately 91
percent of pregnant teens reported that although they were drinking at the time, they did
not originally plan to have sex when they conceived. (Silver, 2015)
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Worldwide, 70,000 women aged 15-19 years die each year of pregnancy- and child
birth- related cause. More than 18 million young women give birth to a baby each year and
9 in 10 of them are in developing countries. (Sehgal, 2007)
While in the Philippines, according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),
teenage pregnancy highly contributes to the growing population of the country by having
with 9% of women aged 15-19 already becoming mothers. (Routledge, 2006)
There is an expressed alarm over continuous spike in pregnancy statistics in the
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). Where in, the total delivery in year 2017 reveal
1,322 against the 904 deliveries on year 2016 compounding the already high incidence of
teen pregnancy in the Cordilleras which show an increase of 45% in the first semester of
2017. (Catajan, 2017)
Benguet province continue to top the charts with 315 (2017) deliveries against 229
(2016) among 10-19 years old based on the date from first semester of 2016 compared to
the same period this year. Kalinga placed second with an increase of 166 deliveries from
year 2016-2017. Where in the statistics should serve as a wakeup call to all stakeholders to
be more responsive and aggressive in addressing this press regional concern. (Cendana,
2017)
Every year, there is a high increase of teenagers who give birth at their early age.
The awareness of teenagers about this matter and how to control and avoid this case will
decrease the rate of teenage pregnancy. (Carrera, 2012)
The scope of this study is to know the level of awareness of grade 12 General
Academic Strand (GAS) students towards the factors of teenage pregnancy.
The findings of the study on “Awareness of Grade 12 General Academic Strand
(GAS) Students towards the Factors of Teenage Pregnancy” could serve as a guide to
students, which would give them better understanding about this teenage pregnancy.
Researchers will broaden their knowledge on factors relevant data that can be utilized in
their counseling interventions. Administrations faculty will provide them information to
promote, enhance understanding and support to programs concerning pregnancy in the
institution.
The study attempts to appraise the Awareness of Grade 12 General Academic
Strand (GAS) Students towards the Factors of Teenage Pregnancy in the University of the
Cordilleras and as well as the effects of teenage pregnancy.
The following hypothesis are formulated to seek definite proofs:
1. The increase in rate of teenage pregnancy reflects that the level of awareness of
teenagers towards the factors of early pregnancy is low.
2. The awareness of teenagers towards the factors affecting teenage pregnancy can
decrease the rate of early pregnancy.
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Methodology
Research Design
In performing this study, the researchers used quantitative method. A quantitative
research method uses numbers as basis for generalizing about a phenomenon. These
numbers originate from objective scales of measurement of the units of analysis called
variables. (Regoniel, 2015).
The data that will serve as the basis for explaining a phenomenon, therefore, can be
gathered through surveys and questionnaires. Such questionnaires use instruments that
require numerical inputs or direct measurements of parameters that characterized the
subject of investigation.
These numbers will then be analyzed using the appropriate statistical formulas to
unravel significant relationships or differences between variables. The outputs serve as the
basis for making the conclusions and generalizations of the study.

Research Participants
In this study, the researchers used probability sampling in knowing the possible
population of the investigation. The respondents are the Grade 12 General Academic
Strand (GAS) students of the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City where the study
aims to know the level of awareness of these said respondents towards the factors affecting
teenage pregnancy. The respondents are easy to comply with because of their population
compared with the other strands.

Materials and Procedures

This research utilizes the descriptive survey which provided information on which
professional judgements were based. The questionnaire-checklist was designed as a tool in
gathering pertinent data. This questionnaire contained inquiries to provide insights into the
level of awareness of Grade 12 GAS students towards the factors affecting teenage
pregnancy. In soliciting authoritative comments and opinions deemed essential and
relevant to the analysis, the question-answer resorted to. The contents were evaluated and
compared with standard principles and researches about teenage pregnancy. The
construction and format of the questionnaire had a bearing on the same research we found
online. In addition, the question-answer process in the questionnaire-checklist had a
predictive aspect wherein the outcome of the responses could very well reveal the relevant
data needed in the study.
The validity of the questionnaire was measured by testing it on a sample of
respondents authoritative in the subject of teenage pregnancy. Before the question-answer
were conducted, the questionnaires were presented to teachers who were knowledgeable
in Research in order to establish its reliability. Based on the teachers’ suggestions for
revisions and corrections as well as their authoritative responses, the instrument was edited
and improved.
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The questionnaires were floated to the respondents by room of each sections in

Grade 12 GAS with the permission of a subject teacher. The subjects of the question-
answer involved 114 Grade 12 GAS students. The data gathered were tabulated, interpreted,
and analyzed with the use of percentages, ranks, and mean computations to present
meaningful tables and to apply quantitative approaches.

Treatment of Data
In this study, the researchers used Weighted Mean to compute for the level of
awareness of the respondents towards the factors affecting teenage pregnancy. The
weighted mean is a kind of average. Instead of each data point contributing equally to the
final mean, some data points contribute more “weight” than others. (Stephanie, 2014)

Ethical Considerations
All the respondents were informed, and it was discussed to them about the aim of
the study. The aim of discussing the study was to reassure that the participants in the
research is voluntary. Also, the participants were fully informed regarding the objectives
of the study, and their answers were treated as confidential and was used for academic
purposes only. The respondents were not harmed or abused, both physically and
psychologically, before, during, and after the conduction of the research. The researcher
created and maintained a climate of comfort.

Findings/Results and Discussion

Table 1. Weighted Mean

Strongly Strongly Weighted Description

Agree Disagree Mean
Items Agree Disagree
(4) (1)
(3) (2)

1. Lack of knowledge about sex or contraception 28 30 24 33 2.46 Disagreed

2. Dating older people 11 31 25 47 2.05 Disagreed

3. Being friends with sexually active people 18 46 20 35 2.39 Disagreed

4. Having sexual-intercourse at a young age 31 25 14 44 2.38 Disagreed

5. Being a victim of sexual abuse 28 23 19 44 2.30 Disagreed

6. Poor family relationship 23 28 27 36 2.39 Disagreed

7. Poor parental supervision 22 30 21 36 2.41 Disagreed

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8. Single-parent families 15 26 29 44 2.11 Disagreed

9. Out of school youth 22 30 23 39 2.31 Disagreed

10. Drug and alcohol abuse 38 23 12 40 2.51 Agreed

The computed mean for the Factor of Lack of knowledge about sex or
contraceptives is 2.46 therefore the students disagreed that Lack of Knowledge about sex
and contraceptives is not a factor of Teenage pregnancy this means that students are not
aware that Lack of knowledge about sex or contraceptives is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Dating older people is 2.05 therefore the
students disagreed that Dating older people is not a factor of Teenage pregnancy this means
that students are not aware that Dating older people is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Being friends with sexually active people is
2.39 therefore the students disagreed that Being friends with sexually active people is not
a factor of Teenage pregnancy this means that students are not aware that Being friends
with sexually active people is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Having sexual intercourse at young age is
2.38 therefore the students disagreed that Having sexual intercourse at young age is not a
factor of Teenage pregnancy this means that students are not aware that Having sexual
intercourse at young age is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Being a victim of sexual abuse is 2.30
therefore the students disagreed that Being a victim of sexual abuse is not a factor of
Teenage pregnancy this means that students are not aware that Being a victim of sexual
abuse is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Poor family relationship is 2.39 therefore the
students disagreed that Poor family relationship is not a factor of Teenage pregnancy this
means that students are not aware that Poor family relationship is a factor of Teenage
Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Poor parental supervision is 2.41 therefore
the students disagreed that Poor parental supervision is not a factor of Teenage pregnancy
this means that students are not aware that Poor parental supervision is a factor of Teenage
Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Single parent families is 2.11 therefore the
students disagreed that Single parent families is not a factor of Teenage pregnancy this
means that students are not aware that Single parent families is a factor of Teenage
Pregnancy.
The computed mean for the Factor of Out of school youth is 2.31 therefore the
students disagreed that Out of school youth is not a factor of Teenage pregnancy this means
that students are not aware that Out school youth is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.
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The computed mean for the Factor of Drug and alcohol abuse is 2.51 therefore the
students agreed that Drugs and alcohol abuse is a factor of Teenage pregnancy this means
that students are aware that Drugs and alcohol abuse is a factor of Teenage Pregnancy.

Conclusion
Based on the survey results, the researchers believe that the respondents are only
aware that alcohol and drug abuse is the factor contributing to Teenage Pregnancy. The
awareness of students about the factors affecting teenage pregnancy is low and only agreed
that the only cause of teenage pregnancy is drug and alcohol abuse.

The respondents, G12 General Academic Strand (GAS) students are not aware and
did not considered and acknowledge the other factors affecting teenage pregnancy.

Recommendation

The researchers believe that the study raises several hypotheses that merit further
research about the views of the researchers to the level of awareness of the grade 12
General Academic Strand students towards the factors affecting teenage pregnancy which
concerns other studies that are looking for solutions regarding to the increase of teenage
pregnancy rate.