Kalangala leaders vow fight against rising teenage pregnancies

Sep 16, 2022

Early marriage and poverty are some of the many causes of teenage pregnancy.

According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2018), almost a quarter of Ugandan women have given birth by the age of 18

Samuel Nkuba
Journalist @New Vision

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Leaders in Kalangala district have pledged to ramp up efforts against teenage pregnancies by taking the fight to their churches, as well as political and cultural spaces.

“Alcoholism, drug abuse and non-compliance of our island parents as far as responsibilities of their children is concerned are some of the root causes of teenage pregnancies within Kalangala district," said Pastor Christine Najjuko of Mwena Christian Fellowship Church.

"We, the religious leaders, will enhance youth conferences mainly during holidays and mentor them."

Their commitment comes after a new report revealed that the rate of teenage pregnancies has increased across the 84 islands of Kalangala district.

The rate has risen by 5% in one year, according to a data report by the district biostatistician.

In 2020/2021, the teenage pregnancy rate in Kalangala was 37%, but it increased to 42% the following financial year.


Teenage pregnancy, also known as adolescent pregnancy, happens with a female under the age of 20, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

As of 2019, adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in low- and middle-income countries had an estimated 21 million pregnancies each year, of which approximately 50% were unintended, WHO data shows.

In 2018, nearly a quarter of Ugandan women had given birth by the age of 18, according data by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

Worringly, adolescent mothers (aged 10–19 years) face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections.

Also, babies of this category of young mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth and severe neonatal condition.


In Kalangala, the teenage pregnancy rate was at 50%  in 2018/2019 and dropped to 31% in 2019/2020, before rising to 37% in 2020/2021 and further by 5%.

“The increase is due to lack of information among the youth about sexual and reproductive health and rights and inadequate access to services tailored to young people," said Simon Peter Kaweesa, the Kalangala district biostatistician.

He added that family, community and social pressure to marry also fuel the rise in adolescent pregnancies.

Kalangala district biostatistician Simon Peter Kaweesa

Kalangala district biostatistician Simon Peter Kaweesa


Kaweesa revealed this during a training of cultural and religious leaders on strategies to decrease teenage pregnancies, harmful practices and sexual gender-based violence among adolescents on the islands of Kalangala.

The WHO says preventing pregnancy among adolescents and pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity are foundational to achieving positive health outcomes across the life course.

The UN agency says the efforts are important for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to maternal and newborn health.

'Change mindset'

On his part, biostatistician Kaweesa urged cultural and religious leaders to embed some sections on health while preaching to emphasize the prevention of teenage pregnancies.

Religious and cultural leaders have pledged to join the fight against adolescent pregancies

Religious and cultural leaders have pledged to join the fight against adolescent pregancies


“Religious and cultural leaders have access to culprits who we are targeting. They also have access to parents who do harmful practices to their children," said Norah Nakyegera, a campaign and advocacy officer under Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF).

"Engaging them on this vice will not only decrease the rates, but also change the mindset of parents who force teens into early marriages,” she added.

Herbert Mugambe from the Kalangala district probation office condemned the religious and cultural leaders who mediate crimes of defilement, child labour and forced marriages.

He said such cases should be handled through court systems, and appealed to leaders to report to Police so that perpetrators are brought to book.

Leaders have been also urged to set up youth-friendly corners, where adolescents can access different services.

 

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