Ethical issues related to research on pregnant school-going teenagers in South Africa
Population studies
31
Issue: 1
(02 - 2017)
Background: This paper describes the procedures the researcher followed in order to both observe
and respect ethical issues when conducting research on pregnant teenagers attending secondary
schools in South Africa.
Data sources and methods: The paper draws on the literature to discuss pregnant school-attending
teenagers as a vulnerable population and indicates the measures the author took to respect ethical
issues.
Findings: Pregnant school-going teenagers in South Africa are vulnerable as they are young, pregnant
and under the authority of a school. Pregnancy amongst school-going teenagers is a public health issue
that requires research in order to yield solutions and pregnant teenagers are important participants in
such research as they have experiences and suggestions to share.
Conclusion: Researchers should ensure that pregnant teenagers are given sufficient information about
the research process so they can give informed voluntary consent to participate. Furthermore there
should be justice, confidentiality, anonymity and beneficence throughout the research process
Key words: Teenage pregnancy; informed voluntary consent; vulnerable population; research ethics;
learner pregnancy
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