The Role of Community Policing In Preventing Early Pregnancy in Malinyi District

Abstract

v 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