Interventions to Address Teenage Pregnancy among Girls in School in Malawi: A Literature Review

Claire Jensen, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Emma Heneine, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Hleziwe Hara, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

Teenage pregnancy is a major public health challenge in Malawi, and has troubling implications for female education. This literature review seeks to shed light on what does and does not work to reduce teenage pregnancy among girls in school in Malawi and similar contexts, with the aim to inform evidence-based interventions. Reviewed interventions fall into three themes: sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education, economic empowerment, and mixed methods interventions that address a multitude of related issues, often including both educational and economic components. Findings indicate that staying in school is protective against teenage pregnancy by itself, so it is important that girls are supported to stay in school – this includes addressing financial, social, and cultural barriers to girls’ schooling. SRH education is important, but insufficient by itself to address the many factors that result in teenage pregnancy and school dropouts in Malawi and similar contexts.