TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN KAVANGO AT 34 PERCENT
editRUNDU- the outcome of a study on the teenage pregnancy rate in Kavango region conduct by the united states agency for international development ( US AID) last year, were released on Wednesday.
These results were released by Kavango governor Maurus Nekaroon behalf of health deputy Minister Petrina Haingura at Rundu. These research have indicated that the pregnancy rate in the Kavango region has doubled the national average, currently at 34% among the 15- to 19- year-old age group. According to study conducted, the national average teenage pregnancy rate is 15%.
Addressing the findings, US-AID technical adviser on HIV and AIDS Mbayi Kangudie said in sub-Sahara Africa, the major causes of teenage pregnancy were poverty and a lack of education. Last year’s study showed that 91% of pregnancies among young women in Kavango region were not planned.this research found that 98% of teenagers were informed about contraceptives, however only 8.7% of them used it.
The ones responsible for impregnating these young women involves a majority of workers, schoolmates constructions workers and NDF members. One of the causes of teenage pregnancies was also the negative attitude of nurses when young girls go to the clinic with the purpose of getting contraceptives. Moreover, it was found that the use of protection in the Kavango region was very low at 34%. Mr Hangula spoke on the behalf of Nekaro and he mentioned some disadvantages of teenage pregnancies, he said it compromised the region’s development programmers, this resulted in school drop out, contributed to poverty and increases the rate of HIV and AIDS.
In order to reduce these problems, governor Maurus Nekaro argued teachers to stop harassing pupils for sex, and argued nurses to stop being judgmental towards teenagers seeking family planning advice. The study encourages consistent use of protection and better sex education.