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Abdelgadir Ali Mohamed, A., Ahmed Apaker Babiker, E., Mohmoud Godat, S., Mohammed Gomaa Doalbet, S., AF Ahmed, A., Hamed Mohamed Ali, M., Ahmed Obadi, A., Mohammed Ali Mustafa, A., Awad Elkarim Taha, A., Elnour Eltayeb Elbashir, A., Gasim Ahmed, R., A Alghamdi, F., & AM Ahmed, W. (2023). Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy Among Single Mothers in Khartoum, Sudan: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Causes, and Consequences. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS), 18(3), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v18i3.14091

https://doi.org/10.18502/sjms.v18i3.14091

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authors

  • Amal Abdelgadir Ali Mohamed

    Amal Abdelgadir Ali Mohamed

    Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
  • Elshafee Ahmed Apaker Babiker

    Elshafee Ahmed Apaker Babiker

    Shendi University, Shendi, Sudan
  • Sohair Mohmoud Godat

    Sohair Mohmoud Godat

    Nursing Department, Alrazi University, Khartoum, Sudan
  • Salma Mohammed Gomaa Doalbet

    Salma Mohammed Gomaa Doalbet

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Hafer Abaten University, Saudi Arabia
  • Aida AF Ahmed

    Aida AF Ahmed

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Maha Hamed Mohamed Ali

    Maha Hamed Mohamed Ali

    Public Health Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Asir, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdalkhaliq Ahmed Obadi

    Abdalkhaliq Ahmed Obadi

    Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Postgraduate Studies, Al-Saeeda University, Sana’a, Yemen
  • Amna Mohammed Ali Mustafa

    Amna Mohammed Ali Mustafa

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Amani Awad Elkarim Taha

    Amani Awad Elkarim Taha

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Amira Elnour Eltayeb Elbashir

    Amira Elnour Eltayeb Elbashir

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Ragaa Gasim Ahmed

    Ragaa Gasim Ahmed

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Fahad A Alghamdi

    Fahad A Alghamdi

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
  • Waled AM Ahmed

    Waled AM Ahmed

    Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Postgraduate Studies, Al-Saeeda University, Sana’a, Yemen
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8023-1583

Published Date

  • Sep 27, 2023

Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy Among Single Mothers in Khartoum, Sudan: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Causes, and Consequences

Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences (SJMS) / Sudan JMS: Volume 18 (2023), Issue No. 3 / Pages 377–390

Abstract

Background: Out-of-wedlock childbearing is a global phenomenon that has lifelong consequences on the lives of both mothers and their children. The aim of this study is to identify the sociodemographic characteristics, causes, and consequences of outof- wedlock pregnancy among single mothers in Khartoum, Sudan.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Mygoma Orphanage Center (MOC) and Shamaa Rehabilitation Center (SRC) using convenience sampling among 200 participants. A validated questionnaire with 25 items was used to collect data. The data were entered into Epi-Data Manager and analyzed using the SPSS.
Results: The study found that most of the single mothers in Khartoum who gave birth out of wedlock were young and had just completed their university education. Most of them discovered their pregnancy during the second or third trimester, and nearly half of them did not receive any antenatal care. The majority of the children born to these mothers were preterm and had a low birth weight. Additionally, many mothers reported experiencing social stigma and rejection from their families due to their out-of-wedlock pregnancy. The study also highlighted loneliness, stress, and romantic relations as the main causes of out-of-wedlock pregnancy among single mothers in Khartoum, Sudan.
Conclusion: The study provides useful insights into the sociodemographic characteristics, causes, and consequences of out-of-wedlock pregnancy among single mothers in Khartoum, Sudan. Social stigma and lack of support were identified as significant barriers to the reintegration of single mothers and their children into society. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term effects of outof- wedlock pregnancy on mothers and their children.

Keywords:

out-of-wedlock pregnancy, single mother, children, consequences, stigma

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[15] Saari Z, Yusof FM, Muhamad SN, Siraj HH, Habil H. PREGNANCY OUT OF WEDLOCK AND ABANDONED BABIES: IS ADOPTION ABLE TO SAVE THE BABIES? PERINTIS eJournal. 2017;7(2):129-41.

[16] UNICEF. Committing to child survival: a promise renewed. New York:: UNICEF2013.

[17] Bakker N. In the interests of the child: psychiatry, adoption, and the emancipation of the single mother and her child–the case of the Netherlands (1945–1970). Paedagogica historica. 2019;55(1):121-36.

[18] Ellwood DT, Jencks C. The uneven spread of single-parent families: What do we know? Where do we look for answers. Social inequality. 2004;1:3-77.

[19] Rector R. Marriage: America’s greatest weapon against child poverty. Backgrounder. 2010;2465:1-16.

[20] Sharma V, Katz J, Mullany LC, Khatry SK, LeClerq SC, Shrestha SR, et al. Young maternal age and the risk of neonatal mortality in rural Nepal. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine. 2008;162(9):828-35.

[21] Sawhill I, Karpilow Q, Venator J. The impact of unintended childbearing on future generations. Washington, DC: Center on Children and Families at Brookings. 2014.

[22] Smith-Greenaway E. Premarital childbearing in sub-Saharan Africa: Can investing in women’s education offset disadvantages for children? SSM-Population Health. 2016;2:164-74.

[23] Tohid H, Muhammad NA, Sharifuddin N, Ismail WFW, Kahar RA, Nasir NM, et al. Challenges faced by young women with premarital pregnancy: a qualitative exploration through a multiple-case study (Cabaran yang dihadapi oleh wanita muda yang mengandung di luar nikah: ekplorasi kualitatif melalui kajian kes berganda). Akademika. 2021;91(1).

[24] Marazyan K, Guilbert N. Out-of-wedlock births in Senegal: an empirical investigation of their consequences for women and children. 2013.

[25] Elgemiabby M. The Orphanage of Things: A Narrative of Abandonment. 2015.

[26] Izugbara C. Socio-demographic risk factors for unintended pregnancy among unmarried adolescent Nigerian girls. South African Family Practice. 2015;57(2):1-5.

[27] Obi S, Ozuma B, Onyebuchi A. Pregnancy in unmarried adolescents in Nigeria. International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. 2002;77(2):157-60.

[28] Phiri TM, Nyamaruze P, Akintola O. Stress and coping among unmarried pregnant university students in South Africa. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2021;21(1):1-13.