Challenges Faced by Pregnant Students at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana and Strategies for Supporting Them

This study explored the challenges faced by pregnant students at the University of Education, Winneba and strategies for supporting them. It was a qualitative study underpinned by interpretive philosophical thought. The study employed a case study approach and collected data using the semi-structured interview. Snowball sampling strategy was employed to select thirty (30) pregnant students, maximal variation sampling technique to select five (5) counsellors, and convenient sampling technique to select five (5) lecturers for the study. The study revealed that the social challenges faced by the students were related to the attitudes of lecturers and students towards them, while the academic challenges included slow pace of studying, which affected their performance negatively. The study pointed out that the pregnant students coped with their social challenges mainly through the avoidance coping mechanism and the academic challenges by managing their time effectively and joining group discussions. It was concluded, among others, that the pregnant students at the university experienced some difficulties in their academic work because the available facilities as well as their colleagues and lecturers in the institution do not support their condition or situation. It was recommended, among others that, the university’s counselling centre should educate students and lecturers on how to handle and associate with the pregnant students and treat them as individuals with special needs.