Abstract:
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ABSTRACT
This study aimed at examining the role of community policing in preventing early
pregnancy in the Malinyi District Council. The study objectives were to examine the
awareness level of community policing knowledge on preventing early pregnancies,
to examine the perception of community policing stakeholders towards preventing
early pregnancies and to determine the effectiveness of community policing practices
in preventing early pregnancies. The study used qualitative and quantitative research
approaches and the research design was convergent parallel design. Sample size for
this study was 123 respondents. The study employs simple random sampling for
teachers and purposive sampling for key informants and data collected via
questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data analysed using
descriptive statistics, while qualitative data undergo thematic analysis. The study
found a relatively high awareness level of community policing. Community members
understand well policing goals for the community and they have sufficient
understanding of the goals of community policing initiatives. The perception of
community policing stakeholders towards preventing early pregnancies showed that
community policing efforts are effective and have a significant impact and are
perceived positively. There were effectiveness of community policing practices and
the policing initiatives in addressing the problem. The study concluded that there was
a high community awareness level and knowledge, there were positive perceptions
on community policing stakeholders in preventing early pregnancies. The study
recommended that the community awareness level should be increased, to improve
community perceptions on community policing on preventing early pregnancies,
community policing stakeholders such as local government officials, religious
leaders and police officers should strengthen partnership. In this way existing
community policing initiatives will be more successfu
