Poverty fueling repeated teenage pregnancies — Study

A recent study has revealed that poverty is one of the key social determinants fuelling repeated teenage pregnancies.

HEROES for Gender Transformative Action programme Case study highlights how poverty deprives young girls of economic opportunities and compels families to prioritise immediate economic benefits over the long-term well-being and empowerment of the girls.

The study indicates that in many cases, families conceal the age of the girl and protect perpetrators even when arrested by refusing to testify in court.

The study, released on June 5, 2025, identified poverty as the leading cause of intergenerational sex in nine districts, including Iganga, Mayuge, Kalangala, Budaka, Bukwo, Kween, Namayingo, Mbale and Bugiri.

This was more pronounced in Kalangala and Namayingo districts, being fishing communities with high commercial activities and Mbale because of the social life.

Dr Duncan Irungu, the dean Graduate School and Director of Enterprises at Amref International University, who unveiled the findings, said, “Young people are now speaking out on social determinants that affect their health and sexuality, and this is an important step forward.”

Implemented by Amref Health Africa, in partnership with Cordaid and MIFUMI, the six-year HEROES programme focuses on improving the wellbeing of youth (ages 10–24) and women (ages 15–49) by empowering them with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, promoting decision-making, strengthening health systems, and fighting sexual and gender-based violence.

The study underscores that in poverty-stricken households, both parents’ mothers and fathers often abdicate their caregiving roles. Girls seeking basic needs such as sanitary pads are often met with harsh responses. “Parents tell them to find their own way to get them.”

Alice Maranga, a gender expert consultant with Amref International University, noted that during their interactions, many district-level officers acknowledged the positive impact the HEROES programme has had, especially among youth at the community level.

Experts warn that poverty has far-reaching implications, including poor access to education, healthcare and dignified employment, all of which disproportionately affect women and girls.

Poverty undermines the ability of individuals and communities to fully participate in development.

Statistics still high

According to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS), teenage pregnancies in Uganda remain high at 24%.

The 2016 Uganda Bureau of Statistics data showed that 25% of women aged 20–24 were married by age 18. Alarmingly, 25% of girls aged 15–19 had already begun childbearing, with 19% having given birth and 6% pregnant with their first child.

Agnes Sebowa, from the health ministry's Adolescent and School Health Division, noted that despite frameworks and strategies to combat teenage pregnancy, challenges remain. 
“Repeated pregnancies are happening because young people lack information on where to go for services,” she said.

“We’re engaging religious and cultural leaders to challenge harmful beliefs and practices that perpetuate the problem,” she said.

Sebowa added that when it comes to repeated teenage pregnancies, there are many drivers. Scaling up solutions

Michael Muyonga, the programme manager with the HEROES programme, emphasised the importance of data in guiding interventions.

“Evidence is critical to improving our approach. We have identified barriers within the health systems strengthening, education, and poverty-related issues to better address teenage pregnancy,’’ he said.

Namayingo’s assistant district health officer, Mathias Mangeni, called on other stakeholders to join the effort.

“The interventions we are implementing through the HEROES programme are a district priority. We need more partners to adopt and scale up this model,” he said.