Bridging Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices: A Study of Reproductive Health among Teenage Mothers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA)

Bridging Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices: A Study of Reproductive Health among Teenage Mothers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA)

Renz Eduard L. Lumindas^1, Rufamae O. Lagat¹, Hannah M. Sabadoquia¹, Isabelita C. Bodbod², Amelynn Joy L. Pradia²*, and Shella F. Trecero¹

¹Department of Social Work, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines-Claveria

²College of Arts and Sciences, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines-Claveria

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.909000315

Received: 08 September 2025; Accepted: 16 September 2025; Published: 09 October 2025

ABSTRACT

Healthy reproductive health is vital for women’s overall well-being, encompassing healthy relationships, inclusive healthcare, accurate information, affordable contraception, and support for unplanned pregnancies. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teenage mothers aged 13-19 in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in Claveria. This paper employs a descriptive-correlational research design to systematically investigate the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Using convenience sampling, data were gathered from 104 respondents. The findings showed that 40.38% of participants had excellent knowledge of reproductive health, 27.88% had very good knowledge, 18.27% had satisfactory knowledge, 5.77% needed improvement, and 7.69% had poor knowledge. Attitudes revealed the highest mean score (3.53) for valuing parental advice to avoid risky behaviors, while the lowest (2.36) indicated disagreement with the notion that love alone justifies sexual activity. In practice, avoiding alcohol scored highest (2.49), while practicing safe sex through condom use scored lowest (1.61), reflecting inconsistent use and exposure to risks. Correlation analysis found a weak positive relationship between knowledge and attitudes (Spearman’s rho = 0.249, p = 0.011), a moderate positive relationship between knowledge and practices (Spearman’s rho = 0.443, p = 0.000), and a weak positive relationship between attitudes and practices (Spearman’s rho = 0.253, p = 0.009). The study concludes that while knowledge and attitudes are generally positive, reproductive health practices remain inconsistent. Strengthening reproductive health education through regular community-based programs, workshops, and peer education is recommended to improve awareness and promote safer practices among teenage mothers in GIDA barangays.

Keywords: Unwanted pregnancy, health care, experiences, challenges

INTRODUCTION

Good reproductive health is vital for all women, as it empowers them to make informed choices and decisions regarding their lives, ultimately influencing their overall health and well-being. This encompasses the right to maintain healthy and respectful relationships, access to comprehensive health care services, accurate information, practical and accessible contraceptive methods, as well as support and resources for unexpected pregnancies (Department of Health and Human Services, 2021).

Adolescent pregnancy is among the widespread issues that target vulnerable populations based on poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment. Adolescent pregnancy remains a leading cause of infant mortality as well as maternal mortality, contributing to Intergenerational cycles of diseases and poverty (Sharma et al., 2021). As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024), an estimated number of pregnancies per year totals around 21 million in girls aged between 15 and 19 years and around 2 million in girls under 15 years old. There are more teen pregnancies since contraceptives are not readily available to teens in most locations. Additionally, even if teens can access contraceptives, they might lack the resources or the means to afford them, information on where to access them, and how to utilize them properly, and they will experience stigma in accessing contraceptives (WHO, 2024). Cases of adolescent pregnancy are revealed to be essentially caused by a lack of education, unavailability of contraception and health education, and autonomy in decision-making. Unwanted childbearing as well as the transmission of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) are both results of the refusal or resistance by the partner to employ contraceptive means (Sharifa et al., 2018). Age or marital status and restrictive policies and laws for the provision of contraceptives are key barriers to provision and utilization among adolescents. This is usually sustained through bias on the part of health workers and or willingness to recognize the sexual health of adolescents (WHO, 2024).

A 35% increase in pregnancies among girls aged 15 and under was reported between 2021 and 2022 in the Philippines (Save the Children, 2024). However, teenage pregnancies among women aged Fifteen (15) to nineteen (19) have declined from 8.6% in 2017 to 5.4% in 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, 2023). Disparities persist, especially in rural regions. Region X – Northern Mindanao reported a notably higher rate of 10.9% in 2022 for women aged 15 to 19 (PSA, 2023). The Philippines is among the nations that exert considerable effort in reproductive health (RH) policies, including Reproductive Health Education (RHE), due to its critical social issues, partly because RHE is not widely available. RHE deficiency leads to a deficiency in family planning. With a 37.6% modern contraceptives rate, the Philippines, together with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, was at its peak in terms of total fertility rate among the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) (three children per 15-49-year-old woman) in 2013 (NEDA, 2017). It further points out that adolescent pregnancy is higher in rural areas and among the economically poor, where girls belonging to the lowest quintile are more likely to give birth than their more affluent peers (PSA, 2023).

The incidence of teenage pregnancy in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, is notably high. Based on data from the Municipal Nutrition Action Office (MNAO) in the municipality, 160 cases were reported from 2021 to 2024 involving individuals aged 13 to 19. A study conducted in the rural province of Rwanda explored teenage mothers’ perspectives on pregnancy. The results showed that teen mothers had poor knowledge regarding pregnancy and unfavorable attitudes toward the use of available health services. Their poor knowledge and unfavorable attitudes impeded the proper use of sexual education and access to necessary reproductive health care (Nshutiyukuri et al., 2024). A study by Collado (2019) indicates that GIDA zones in the Philippines are deficient in health facilities and skilled healthcare workers, significantly restricting the population’s access to basic services. Most healthcare workers are concentrated in urban areas, leaving the GIDA communities underserved. Thus, it underscores that poor economic status in such areas is one of the primary reasons for low health-seeking attitudes, as some families cannot even afford transport and medical fees. In addition, the quality of health care is also undermined, resulting in worse health outcomes for people living in GIDA than in urban areas (ibid).

Given this context, the study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teen mothers regarding reproductive health, with an emphasis on GIDA zones in Claveria, and to determine whether there is a correlation between the stated variables, namely, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. These zones often lack exposure to health care, education, and reproductive health information, thus boosting the rate of teenage pregnancy.

METHODOLOGY

This study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design to analyze the characteristics of teenage mothers in GIDA barangays, focusing on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding reproductive health. The study involved a sample of 104 teenage mothers aged 13 to 19 years in Claveria to create a detailed overview of their perspectives on reproductive health—the correlation analysis aimed to identify significant relationships between these variables. The researchers adopted validated survey questionnaires from a previous study, which demonstrated good reliability with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.81 for knowledge, 0.79 for attitudes, and 0.79 for practices. The overall content validity was confirmed by experts, who demonstrated strong agreement on the quality and clarity of the questions.

This research employed a non-probability sampling method to select participants, with a focus on accessibility. Data gathering occurred in stages with a structured approach to ensure precision. Knowledge regarding reproductive health was evaluated using multiple-choice questions, and results were analyzed through frequencies, percentages, and score analysis. Attitudes and practices were assessed using a Likert Scale, with means and standard deviations calculated to identify overall trends. The Shapiro-Wilk test was utilized to examine the normality of the data, which indicated a non-normal distribution. As a result, Spearman’s correlation was used to evaluate the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

The study followed ethical research standards to ensure the safety and privacy of all participants. Informed consent was obtained from each respondent, including parental consent for minors. Participation was voluntary, and participants could withdraw at any time without repercussions. The researchers provided appreciation tokens to the teen mothers who participated. Confidentiality was prioritized by anonymizing data and protecting identifying information, in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Problem 1: What is the level of knowledge of Teenage Mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health?

Table 1. Level of Knowledge of Teenage Mothers Regarding Reproductive Health

Table 1 presents the level of knowledge of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding reproductive health. The results reveal that most of them have a good understanding of the topic. Specifically, 40.38% of the respondents scored between 9 and 10, indicating that these teenage mothers demonstrate excellent knowledge.

On the other hand, 5.77% scored between 3 and 4, indicating a need for improvement in understanding reproductive health knowledge, and 7.69% fell into the poor category, with scores ranging from 1 to 2, reflecting a significant knowledge gap. These two groups of respondents demonstrate limited knowledge or inadequate understanding of reproductive health. For this reason, this lack of knowledge could put them at risk for health problems or poor decision-making.

The study by Adjie (2022) revealed that the participants’ knowledge of adolescent reproductive health was predominantly poor. Therefore, it suggests a pressing need for educational intervention to improve adolescents’ reproductive health knowledge. The high percentage of insufficient knowledge indicates that many adolescents lack adequate information, which could negatively impact their health and decision-making. The study by Williamson (2013) highlights that adolescents with inadequate knowledge about reproductive health are more likely to develop incorrect attitudes toward sex, which can lead to promiscuous behavior. Further, another study by Pasay-an et al. (2020) found that adolescents generally possessed low levels of knowledge about sexuality and reproductive health issues. The findings can be attributed to the incomplete information acquired by these adolescents due to the highly observed and widespread conservative or folkloric background in the region. It indicates that they require particular attention to the realization of their sexuality and reproductive capability before completing their social preparation for adulthood. While a significant number of teenage mothers possess strong reproductive health awareness, targeted interventions are necessary to improve understanding among those with lower scores.

Problem 2: What are the attitudes of Teenage Mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health?

Table 2 presents the attitudes of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding reproductive health. The highest mean score (3.53) is observed in item 6, “It is best to listen to the advice of parents to avoid sexual and social risks like premarital sex, alcohol, and drugs,” indicating agreement among respondents. This suggests that teenage mothers recognize parental guidance as an essential factor in preventing risky behaviors associated with reproductive health. This also implies that parental advice is viewed as both moral support and a practical approach to addressing reproductive health challenges. It suggests that strong parent-teen relationships could help teenage mothers make safer and healthier choices. A study by Ndugga et al. (2023) found that teenage mothers acknowledge parental guidance as crucial in preventing risky sexual behaviors. It highlights that effective parent-adolescent communication can empower adolescents with decision-making skills, ultimately reducing their involvement in risky sexual activities and improving reproductive health (ibid). The result aligns with the notion that parental influence plays a crucial role in shaping adolescents’ decisions and attitudes toward responsible sexual behavior. Additionally, Mateo et al. (2020) found that strong parent-child communication, particularly regarding sensitive topics like sexuality, correlated with lower rates of risky sexual behaviors among Filipino youth. This reaffirms the importance of parental guidance, especially in GIDA communities where access to formal reproductive health education might be limited (ibid).

On the other hand, the lowest mean score (2.36) is found in item 7, “When an adolescent man and woman love each other, they are free to have sexual activity,” which received disagreement from the majority. This implies that teenage mothers generally do not support the idea that love alone justifies engaging in sexual activity. It suggests that they believe other factors should also be considered before making such decisions. This further indicates that teenage mothers may prioritize caution and responsibility over romantic feelings when it comes to sexual activity. The study by Jones et al. (2019) highlights that teenage mothers often make moral judgments about their contemporaries, viewing some as manipulative or reckless in their motivations for pregnancy.

The study suggests a critical perspective on the motivations behind sexual activity among peers, indicating that love may not be the sole justification for such actions in the eyes of the respondents. Their disagreement may stem from personal experiences or societal norms that emphasize the consequences of premarital sex, such as unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (ibid). The findings suggest that while teenage mothers acknowledge the significance of reproductive health knowledge and parental guidance, they also hold conservative views on the conditions under which sexual activity should take place.

Table 2. Mean and Standard Deviation on the Attitudes of Teenage Mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health

Legend: 3.25 – 4.00 (Strongly Agree), 2.50 – 3.24 (Agree), 1.75 – 2.49 (Disagree), 1.00 – 1.74 (Strongly Disagree)

Problem 3: How Frequently do Teenage Mothers Engage in Reproductive Health Practices?

Table 3 presents the reproductive health practices of teenage mothers in GIDA, revealing significant disparities in their health behaviors and decision-making. Teenage mothers demonstrated awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption, as evidenced by the highest mean score (2.49) for the item “I do not drink alcohol because it will result in a bad effect on my reproductive health.” This aligns with the Health Belief Model (HBM), which emphasizes that individuals’ perceptions of risks and benefits influence their health behaviors. Avoiding alcohol reduces risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, which can lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This means that teenage mothers are conscious of their responsibilities as mothers and are making efforts to protect their reproductive health. However, a critical gap exists in safe sex practices, as evidenced by the lowest mean score (1.61) for the item “I practice safe sex by using a condom.” This highlights that teenage mothers rarely use condoms, significantly increasing their vulnerability to unintended pregnancies and STIs. Limited access to contraceptives, lack of knowledge, and social stigma surrounding their use are contributing factors. WHO findings emphasize that restrictive policies, health worker biases, and limited contraceptive availability further hinder adolescent access to reproductive health services (Adjie et al., 2022; Layton, 2023).

Table 3. Mean and Standard Deviation of the Practices of Teenage Mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health

Studies conducted over the past decade have provided additional insights into these challenges. For instance, Adjie et al. (2022) found that rural adolescents in Indonesia face barriers such as myths about contraception, fear of side effects, and rigid cultural norms. Similarly, Layton (2023) reported that peer education programs in the Philippines have been effective in addressing reproductive health gaps by creating safe spaces for discussions and connecting adolescents to youth-friendly services, and in Karnataka, India, modern contraceptive usage increased substantially due to improved access and awareness campaigns targeting underserved populations (Fotedar et al., 2024). These findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive interventions tailored to specific contexts. This means that targeted programs addressing knowledge gaps while leveraging community support can empower teenage mothers to make informed decisions.

The findings imply that comprehensive reproductive health education and support systems tailored to GIDA communities are urgently needed. Programs must focus on improving access to contraceptives, addressing stigma, and fostering positive attitudes toward safe sex practices. Drawing upon frameworks such as Social Cognitive Theory, interventions that leverage peer influence and community support can enhance self-efficacy among teenage mothers, encouraging healthier behaviors. Furthermore, considering the limited access to healthcare facilities in GIDA areas (Collado, 2019), establishing outreach programs and mobile health clinics is crucial to bringing reproductive health services directly to those communities. This means that empowering teenage mothers through education, accessible services, and community engagement can significantly improve their reproductive health outcomes while reducing risks associated with early pregnancies.

Table 4 presents the results of the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality for the variables knowledge, attitude, and practices related to reproductive health among teenage mothers living in GIDA. The Shapiro-Wilk test is used to assess whether the data follow a normal distribution. For the knowledge variable, the test yielded a W value of 0.874 with a p-value of 0.000, indicating a statistically significant deviation from normality. Similarly, the attitude variable also deviates significantly from a normal distribution, with a W value of 0.952 and a p-value of 0.001. In contrast, the practices variable has a W value of 0.976 and a p-value of 0.057, which is above the commonly used significance level of 0.05, suggesting that this variable does not significantly deviate from normality. Among the three variables, only practices can be considered normally distributed, while knowledge and attitude do not follow a normal distribution. In this case, Spearman’s Correlation was used to analyze the relationship between variables.

Table 4. Test of Normality for knowledge, attitude, and practices of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health

Problem 4: Is there a significant relationship between the knowledge and attitudes of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health?

As shown in Table 5, Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient of 0.249 indicates a weak but positive relationship between the knowledge and attitude of teenage mothers regarding reproductive health. This means that as their level of knowledge increases, their attitudes tend to become more positive, although the strength of this relationship is not very strong.

Table 5. Test of Significant Relationship between the Knowledge and Attitudes of Teenage Mothers

*  Significance at the 0.05 level of significance 

Further, the p-value of 0.011 is less than the standard significance level of 0.05, which means the result is statistically significant, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis 1 (H0). This implies that increasing reproductive health knowledge among teenage mothers could help shape more responsible and informed attitudes toward reproductive health. For this reason, it highlights the need for educational programs and interventions that improve knowledge that could lead to better decision-making and healthier attitudes among teenage mothers.

According to the KAP Model, knowledge serves as the foundation for shaping attitudes, which in turn influence practices. In the context of this study, the findings suggest that improving reproductive health knowledge may contribute to shaping more informed and positive attitudes (Senera et al., 2023).

However, given the weak correlation, other factors may also play a role in influencing attitudes toward reproductive health. A study conducted at Gowa Regency High School found a strong correlation between knowledge and attitudes toward reproductive health, indicating that better understanding leads to more informed attitudes (Nita et al., 2024). Another study by Mbwambo and Gibore (2024) shows that adolescent often have inadequate knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, which negatively influences their health-seeking behaviors during pregnancy. Poor attitudes, compounded by social stigma and unfriendly treatment from healthcare providers, further reduce the likelihood of seeking timely reproductive health services.

Problem 5: Is there a significant relationship between the knowledge and practices of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health?

Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient of 0.443 indicates a moderate positive relationship between the knowledge and practices of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding reproductive health, as shown in Table 6. This suggests that as their knowledge about reproductive health increases, their reproductive health practices also tend to improve. The correlation coefficient, being relatively moderate, suggests that while knowledge is a significant factor influencing practices, other factors may also play a role. The relationship is stronger compared to the correlation between knowledge and attitudes, implying that knowledge has a more direct influence on reproductive health behaviors. This distinction is important because it suggests that increasing knowledge may more effectively change actual behaviors rather than just attitudes or beliefs, which might not always translate into practice.

Table 6. Test of Significant Relationship between the Knowledge and Practices of Teenage Mothers     Significant at the 0.05 level of significance

A study by Fotedar et al. (2024) highlights the positive impact of education on reproductive health knowledge, which leads to safer practices like contraceptive use and family planning. This is supported by evidence from the Philippines showing that comprehensive sex education improves reproductive health outcomes in disadvantaged adolescents. Additionally, Lubis and Hasanah (2023) found that many teenage mothers have limited reproductive health knowledge, which is linked to higher unintended pregnancy rates. This lack of understanding leads to risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and early childbearing, with significant long-term health and social consequences.

A p-value of 0.000 indicates a significant relationship between knowledge and reproductive health practices among teenage mothers, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This suggests that enhancing reproductive health education may lead to improved practices. In GIDA communities in the Philippines, research shows that teenage mothers with higher educational attainment exhibit better reproductive health behaviors. This highlights the importance of reproductive health awareness programs and suggests that enhancing educational opportunities and access to information can have a positive impact on health outcomes in this demographic.

Problem 6: Is there a significant relationship between the attitudes and practices of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding Reproductive Health?

The Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient of 0.253 indicates a weak positive relationship between the attitudes and practices of teenage mothers regarding reproductive health, suggesting that while positive attitudes may exist, their influence on actual behaviors is limited. The p-value of 0.009 is below the significance level of 0.05, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

Table 7. Test of Significant Relationship between the Attitudes and Practices of Teenage Mothers

Significant at the 0.05 level of significance 

This weak correlation highlights the role of external factors such as social influences, stigma, and limited accessibility to reproductive health resources in shaping behaviors, particularly in GIDA. Limited access to contraceptives and insufficient knowledge about their use are significant barriers. For instance, Adjie et al. (2022) found that cultural practices, despite positive attitudes. Similarly, Finan et al. (2018) emphasized that school-based health services play a crucial role in shaping adolescents’ reproductive health behaviors. Still, gaps in service delivery often lead to misinformation and risky practices. In addition, Gakidou et al. (2019) demonstrated that while increased educational attainment has a positive impact on reproductive health outcomes globally, systemic barriers, such as resource shortages and cultural norms, often limit its effectiveness in low-income settings.

Research also underscores the importance of culturally sensitive interventions tailored to specific contexts. Fotedar et al. (2024) found that peer education programs significantly improve contraceptive attitudes among adolescents in urban Bangalore by providing safe spaces for discussions and connecting them to youth-friendly services. Similarly, Nshutiyukuri et al. (2024) reported that teenage mothers in Rwanda often lack comprehensive knowledge of available sexual and reproductive health services due to inadequate mobilization efforts, further emphasizing the need for targeted education programs. This means that addressing systemic barriers through targeted programs combining education, practical support, and community engagement can empower teenage mothers to make informed decisions. Policymakers must collaborate with local stakeholders to design interventions that not only improve knowledge but also address stigma and resource shortages. Establishing outreach programs, mobile clinics, and peer-led initiatives can bridge gaps in access while fostering healthier reproductive behaviors among teenage mothers in GIDA communities.

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teenage mothers living in GIDA regarding their reproductive health. The findings revealed significant disparities in their understanding and behaviors, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these gaps. The following conclusions were gathered based on the study findings: (1) Most teenage mothers living in GIDA areas demonstrate good reproductive health knowledge. However, a significant portion requires improvement, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions. (2) Teenage mothers generally agree that parental guidance is vital in preventing risky sexual behaviors. However, they do believe that love alone justifies engaging in sexual activity, indicating a conservative stance on premarital sex. (3) Most teenage mothers are conscious of the negative impact of alcohol on their reproductive health. However, safe sex practices, such as condom use, are not consistently practiced, leading to increased vulnerability to unintended pregnancies and STIs. (4) There is a statistically significant but weak positive relationship between knowledge and attitudes regarding reproductive health. This suggests that improving knowledge may contribute to more positive attitudes, but other factors also play a role. (5) There is a moderate positive relationship between knowledge and practices regarding reproductive health, suggesting that increased knowledge leads to improved practices. This highlights the importance of reproductive health education. (6) There is a statistically significant but weak positive relationship between attitudes and practices, implying that while positive attitudes may contribute to better practices, other factors like social influences and access to resources also play a significant role.

RECOMMENDATION

The Department of Education, in partnership with local barangay health units and community-based organizations, should implement monthly reproductive health education sessions in public schools and barangay halls within GIDA communities. These sessions must utilize interactive methods such as workshops and peer-led discussions to engage teenage mothers and adolescents actively. DepEd’s curriculum coordinator should ensure reproductive health topics are integrated into the health education syllabus, while barangay health workers facilitate community sessions to research out-of-school youth. This approach aligns with the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, which mandates reproductive health education for Filipino students but requires localized efforts to address socio-cultural barriers that hinder its implementation.

The barangay councils, together with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, should organize quarterly parenting seminars specially designed for parents of teenage mothers. These seminars must focus on practical training in communication skills and provide culturally appropriate materials to help parents discuss reproductive health openly and effectively. Local social workers and BHWs should conduct home visits to encourage parental participation and provide ongoing support. Parenting involvement is effective in guiding adolescents toward informed reproductive health decisions.

To improve access to reproductive health services, the Department of Health, in coordination with LGUs, must ensure that all barangay health centers in GIDA areas are stocked with free or subsidized contraceptives such as condoms, oral contraceptives, and injectables. Additionally, the DOH should deploy mobile health clinics at least twice a month to remote barangays to provide pre-and post-natal care, family planning counseling, and STI screening. Local governments (LGUs) should allocate budgets for transportation and logistics to support these outreach services, ensuring that teenage mothers in hard-to-reach areas receive timely care. This effort aligns with the RH Act’s mandate for universal access to family planning resources.

The DOH. In collaboration with school health coordinators, targeted health campaigns emphasize consistent contraceptive use among adolescents. These campaigns must include distributing free condoms at schools, barangay health centers, and youth centers. At the same time, peer educators trained by NGOs conduct regular awareness drives and one-on-one counseling sessions. Peer education programs have shown significant success in reducing teenage pregnancies by providing accurate information about reproductive health.

Barangay officials, together with local religious leaders and community elders, should facilitate monthly community dialogues and support group meetings to openly discuss reproductive health issues, dispel myths, and reduce the stigma associated with contraceptive use. These forums must be culturally sensitive and inclusive to encourage teenage mothers to share their experiences while receiving peer support. Training sessions for community leaders on reproductive health advocacy should be conducted to equip them with accurate information and communication skills.

Finally, the university should partner with local government units (LGUs), reproductive health units (RHUs), and barangay local government units (BLGUs) to conduct annual studies on how economic status, peer influence, and social media exposure affect the reproductive health behaviors of teenage mothers in GIDA communities. The research findings must be disseminated to policymakers and program implementers to inform evidence-based interventions tailored to local needs.

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