Rising Teen Pregnancies Alarm Coastal Kenya
Concerning the Kenya Demographics Health Survey 2022, TanaRiver and Kilifi Counties are leading with teenagers who are pregnant at 17 and 12 per cent respectively.
KILIFI, Kenya-Teenage pregnancies have increased by 30 percent in Kenya's coastal counties over the past two years, alarming local health officials, writes Thurea Mwadzaya.
Kilifi County recorded 5,581 incidents of teenage pregnancy between 2021 and 2022, according to a collaborative survey conducted by two health organisations. In the county, one in five teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 is either a mother already or is expecting their first kid.
Children in that age range cannot receive sex education from any source other than those included in the curriculum, according to Kenneth Miriti of Kilifi County Persons for Reproductive Sex Maternal Child and Adolescent Health.
The county's rising rate of adolescent pregnancies has been attributed primarily to poverty and high living expenses, according to Miriti.
Additionally, Miriti said building and sustaining community awareness on adolescents, and sexual and reproductive health should be considered in the campaign for teen pregnancy.
Concerning the Kenya Demographics Health Survey 2022, TanaRiver and Kilifi Counties are leading with teenagers who are pregnant at 17 and 12 per cent respectively.
Amina Kasyoka, a community health volunteer says that parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of premarital sex.
“Sex topic is a taboo for discussion, that makes it hard to talk about premarital sex yet our children are having sex,” said Amina.
Moreover, Christine Kache, a girl child ambassador in Kilifi County said that interventions of the Interior CS Kindiki Kithure earlier this year to crack down on disco matanga organizers in Kilifi County were worth it to engage teenagers in junior secondary schools.
“We appreciate what the government is doing to fight teenage pregnancies, cracking down disco matanga organizers will minimize the situation, our girls are starting families at a tender age,” said Kache.
According to Christine Kache sensitization and mentorship programmes will enable the teenagers in Kilifi County to understand the issues well.
“We have a plan to do vigorous campaigns in sensitizing the teenagers in the Junior Secondary Schools in Kilifi County and also to partner with chiefs in the area to create baraza meetings to influence parents and guardians to talk to their daughters at homes,” said Kache.
Marvine Caren Ochieng, a research assistant nurse notes that 3600 pregnant young women in Kilifi County have benefitted from a tracking maternal health programme in Kilifi County.
According to Caren, the 3-year project seeks to analyze the need for checkups before delivery and after delivery.
“We did a follow-up tracking pregnant women during antenatal until they delivered and after delivery, they come for the first visit at 3 months, then the second visit at 1 year, the third visit after 2 years and the last visit at 3 years. We want to understand the outcome of the pregnancy if women encounter problems during pregnancies or after delivery or if babies are delayed in growth because their mothers had maternal issues during pregnancy,” said Caren
Additionally, Kadzo Nyamai recalls how the COVID-19 pandemic hit her as Kilifi County was among the counties that experienced lockdown to minimize COVID-19 infections.
“I still remember, our family had no money for food, I met my boyfriend who said he would support me and so we started a friendship which led to the unplanned pregnancy, he said he was not interested in the baby as he had a family so I had to use local concoctions to get rid of the baby,” said Kadzo.
As Kenyans were anxious for the COVID-19 measures to be lifted Kadzo Nyamai was still battling depression making her engage in another relationship in the year 2020.
Kadzo recalls the situation with deep concern and notes that her poverty situation at home made her get pregnant as she had to look for a way out to get money.
“Our financial situation at home had gotten worse as my mother had no savings and her business had flopped due to the pandemic, I met a young man who informed me that he would place me in their company as a casual labourer and we cultivated our friendship which later got me pregnant and seeing that I was pregnant the man disappeared, leaving my calls answered. I had to terminate the pregnancy as no one could support me and the baby, my family had no money at all,” said the bubbly girl.
Escaping gossiping and ill talks in her neighborhood Kadzo had to present herself boldly and confidently and proceed with her normal life.
“I feared ill talks in my neighbourhood and stigma so I had to keep busy sewing door mats using pieces of used materials from tailors and I met a man who decided to support me despite not having clients, we were good friends and in no time, I realized I was pregnant which he later dismissed my pregnancy I got rid of it as I did not want a baby without a father figure,” said Kache.
Bouncing back to the limelight as Kenyans proceed to grow the economy, Kadzo is a beneficiary of a family planning program in Mariakani Sub County Hospital that enables teenagers to get mentorship and to lead safe reproductive health lives.
“I thank the family planning mentorship as through it, I get mentorship talks as I was depressed while procuring the abortions. It is also a safe place as I can explain my experiences without any worry, and get to plan when to have my family,” said Kache.
“The programme has shaped me to be a great speaker in the nearby schools, I am confident and I see my future and do not dwell on my past. I work hand in hand with school patrons to enlighten the girls who are still young.”
Additionally, Kache notes that sensitization seminars have helped her get upkeep to enable them to buy meals for her family and not to be deceived by men also making parents understand the importance of talking to their daughters.
“I can now buy meals for my family and not fall into traps that will get me into trouble. My family appreciates my work, and my meetings help parents appreciate the need to talk to their daughters in enabling mutual understanding with their daughters," said Kache.