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Shift Media News 
By PATRICK JARAMOGI
TORORO, Uganda [SHIFTMEDIA] According to the Ministry of Health data, an average of 1,000 teenage pregnancies are reported per day in Uganda. These unplanned pregnancies have serious health impacts, such as complications during pregnancy and childbirth, a leading cause of death to teenage girls in Uganda.
Increased risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), high rates of maternal and infant mortality, poverty, and high school drop outs are other attributes of teenage pregnancies.
The UNFPA 2021 Report indicates that one in four (25 percent) girls in Uganda aged 15-19 years have had a child or are pregnant. While 34 percent of Ugandan girls are married by 18 years, and 28 percent of maternal deaths occur among young girls (15-25years). The report indicates that in 2021, a total of 32,566 teenage girls got pregnant monthly, an equivalent of 1,052 daily, while 250 children aged below 15 years got pregnant monthly.
Teenage pregnancy comes with severe socioeconomic consequences. Young mothers often face interruptions in their education. This economic strain frequently perpetuates cycles of poverty, impacting not just the young mother but her child as well.
Research has shown that teenage mothers are likely to experience mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. The stress of raising a child at a young age, combined with potential social stigma, can have profound psychological effects
As statistics in relation to teenage pregnancies continue to soar, the spotlight increasingly falls on both the dangers associated with teenage pregnancies and the innovative strategies being developed to address this challenge.
Preventing teenage pregnancies requires collective action, and a multi-sectoral approach, such as allowing teenage girls know about their sexual rights and make available family planning options.
But amidst all these, scientific and strategic approaches to address teenage pregnancies such as advancement in education, healthcare, and technology are being developed globally.
One of the most effective strategies is comprehensive sexual education (CSE).
Research consistently shows that CSE, which includes information about contraception, reproductive health, and healthy relationships, significantly reduces the incidence of teenage pregnancies. Programs designed to educate teens about the risks and responsibilities associated with sexual activity empower them to make informed choices. The inclusion of both biological and emotional aspects of sex education helps teenagers understand the broader implications of their decisions.
Studies have demonstrated that when teenagers have access to affordable and confidential contraception, rates of unintended pregnancies decrease. Initiatives such as providing free contraceptives in schools and clinics, and integrating contraceptive education into health services, have proven successful in many regions.
The issue of engaging communities, through the Community Based Approaches is another critical element that can be used by community leaders and local organizations to address teenage pregnancies.
Tailored programs seeking to address specific needs of the communities, such as youth empowerment programs, community health workshops, and family counseling services can help build supportive environment that encourages health behaviors and decision-making among teenagers.
Teenage Mothers Speak Out
Adikin Mary Faith, is 17, but a mother of two, one aged three, another aged 6 months. A resident of Eastern Ward, Nagongera Town council in Tororo district, Adikin joins scores of other young teenage mothers, majority of whom dropped out of school.
When Adikin was about to join primary 7 at Mahanga Primary school in Nagongera in 2021, she became pregnant. As time for sitting the Primary leaving examinations (PLE) drew closer, her stomach nudged further, coupled with stigma, and shame, she dropped off from school at a tender age of just 14. “I was not alone. In our class (p7), we were about 7 girls who were pregnant, and all dropped out of school. I am now suffering, the man who made me pregnant abandoned me,” said Adikin.
Along with Getulida Angwena aged 16, Perusi Athieno (18), and scores of others I interviewed, were all carrying babies, majority had two babies aged between 3-5 years.
These young girls are part of the 290,219 teenage pregnancies recorded in 2021. According UNICEF, 25% of girls aged 15-19 in Uganda are either pregnant or already mothers
Babies born to teenage mothers are at higher risk for low birth weight, preterm birth, and neonatal mortality. These factors contribute to a greater likelihood of developmental delays and long-term health problems. The lack of prenatal care among many teenage mothers exacerbates these risks, leading to poorer health outcomes for their infants.
The situation is worse for girls living in rural areas in Uganda characterized by poverty, restricted access to care, weak health systems, lack of education and employment and weak social safety nets.
Interventions By The Ministry Of Health
The Ministry of Health has an ongoing campaign to end teenage pregnancies. According to Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director General Health Services, the Ministry of Health’s target is to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies from 24% to below 15% in the next 5 years.
“Our target is to reduce it from 24% to 15% in the next 5 years. And to do that, our strategies have been revived,” he said in an interview.
Dr. Mwebesa noted that some of the strategies in place include utilizing the enabling policies and frameworks, increased advocacy for adolescent health, and collaborative partnerships among others.
Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of health said other strategies geared towards curbing teenage pregnancies is engaging the media to create awareness on the dangers of teenage pregnancies,
Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng noted that educational campaigns, and initiatives geared at increasing awareness about reproductive health and contraception, are other options being considered.
“As a ministry, we have improved access to maternal and reproductive health services, including prenatal care and counseling. We also have in place support services, and programs to support teenage mothers, such as childcare and education,” she said.
Hon Sarah Opendi, the Tororo District Woman Member of Parliament, and former state minister for Health said science based interventions, such as comprehensive Sexuality Education, Programs that provide accurate information about sexual health, and healthy relationships should be other options to engage in.
Prof Ndebesa Mwambutsya, a Makerere University don, noted that healthcare innovations such as mobile health apps can be used to provide teenagers with information related to reproduction health and contraception.
He said social support program is also vital in addressing the broader socioeconomic challenges faced by teenage mothers. He said policymakers also play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of teenage pregnancy prevention. “Legislative efforts to increase funding for sexual health education, improve access to reproductive health services, and support young families are vital,” he said.
The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Among said the current teenage pregnancy rate in Uganda at 25% is the highest in East Africa. “Child Marriages and Teenage Pregnancies jeopardize our country’s strategy to achieve results under the Human Capital Development,” she said.
Among said government has outlined in the National Development Plan III. The development of the Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda 2022/23-2026/27.
Peruse Athieno
“The Government’s commitment is to revert the current negative trend with a goal to End child marriage and teenage pregnancy for inclusive growth and socio-economic transformation,” she said.
Bugiri Woman MP Hon Agnes Taaka said the USAID’s Regional Health Integration to enhance services in East Central Uganda (RHITES-EC) was paying off. Taaka noted that through use of peer counselling, adolescent community dialogues, and connecting adolescents with family planning options, significant reduction in teenage pregnancies can be achieved.
Planning For A Brighter Future
Margret Kyomugisha, a mother said she wouldn’t risk her daughter getting pregnant while under age. “I have a daughter in senior 3, she is in a mixed boarding school, much as she is just 16, she looks older,” said Kyomugisha. “These days”, she added: “Anything can happen, what I did was to give my daughter pills, to prevent any pregnancy, that makes me and her feel more safe, even if someone attempts to defile or rape her.”
Nabwire Christine, a mother of a 12 year old daughter in Primary 7 said she gives her daughter injectables to avoid pregnancies. “My husband was against this, but our daughter looks like some 18 year old girl, anything can happen, I don’t want to take risks,” said Nabwire. Nabwire, and Kyomugisha’s daughters are among the 25% of the new family planning users aged 10-19 recorded in 2022. According statistics from USAID, the number of family planning users in Busoga region increased 127,838 in March 2022 to 153,527 in June 2022.
A report by USAID (https://www.urc-chs.com/news/choosing-my-future-preventing-unplanned-adolescent-pregnancies-in-uganda/) notes that teenagers are now making responsible sexual choices due to mobile distribution of family planning services.
Teenage pregnancies present complex challenges that require multifaceted solutions. By understanding the dangers associated with early pregnancies and leveraging scientific advancements in education, healthcare, and policy, society can make significant strides in addressing this issue.
Through comprehensive sexuality education, initiatives aimed at increasing awareness about reproductive and improved access to contraceptives, innovative healthcare solutions, improving access to maternal and reproductive health services, like prenatal care and consoling, and effective policies, we can work towards reducing teenage pregnancies and ensuring healthier futures for young mothers and their children.
Tailored programs that provide accurate information about sexual health, contraception, and healthy relationships are further steps that the Ministry of Health needs to effectively engage in.
The challenges faced regarding resistance, and criticisms by religious and cultural leaders in achieving these milestone needs to be addressed as well.
As research and strategies continue to evolve, the goal remains clear: to improve access to a wide range of contraceptive methods, utilization of community health workers to reach out to teenagers with information and services. As well as provision of tools and support that teenagers need to make informed decisions.
Government through the Ministry of Health needs to up funding to steer innovative solutions to address teenage pregnancies in Uganda.
Despite the numerous hurdles, there is light at the end of the tunnel, since increased education about healthy relationship, and purchasing of contraceptives by parents for their teenage girls seems to be taking center stage.
