By Georgina Akoth, DevReporter, Kisumu County
Teenage pregnancy has become a significant public health concern in Kenya. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1 in 5 girls get pregnant as teenagers.
According to the Ministry of Education in Kenya, every year, more than 1,000 candidates sit their national primary and secondary school leaving examinations while pregnant.
The Kenya Data and Health Survey reports that 449 girls are failing to sit for their final primary or secondary examinations while others write examinations while in maternity wards. These statistics are a red flag on the girl child’s education, health and opportunities, not to mention that they could also be seen as representing a failure by the society as whole.
“Being pregnant at a young age has not been easy for me… Criticism from friends and parents who feel like you are a disappointment overwhelms,” a young mother who got pregnant at the age of 19 pointed out.
Linet Otieno (not her real name) also narrated how becoming a teen mother made her face a lot of criticism and rejection from her own family.
“At the age of 19, I got into a relationship. But the man dumped me in the middle of my pregnancy, and from there things did not go well for me,” said Linet, who comes from a humble background.
Although there is a government directive that allows provision of free antenatal care to pregnant teenagers and a policy allowing teenage mothers to return to school after giving birth, other interventions like psychosocial and empowerment programmes for the girl child are crucial aspects that should also be looked at.
“I had to do on my own, everything possible to help myself and the baby. I did not get any form of support or empowerment from the society,” Linet said, adding that “this is the time when you need help. Being the first time, you have no knowledge of how to take care of a baby.”
Girls who find themselves in this situation often sink into depression.
Teenage pregnancies statistics
During the Covid-19 period, many cases of teenage pregnancy were reported with the mean age being 10-19 year olds. The rising cases of teenage pregnancy has become a significant challenge to both teenagers and parents.
In 2020, Kisumu County reported 17 percent of teenage pregnancies as captured by the Kisumu Health Information System. The areas that recorded many cases include Nyalenda, Manyatta, Kondele, and Obunga.
Other parts of the country also reported increased cases of teenage pregnancy despite the continuous outcry from parents, teachers and the community at large.
Nationally, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, teenage pregnancies are at 18 percent and rapidly increasing, with three percent of five to ten-year-olds carrying their first pregnancy, and 40 percent of 10-19-year-olds giving birth or are pregnant.
Reasons behind teenage pregnancies
The reasons behind teenage pregnancies are many. They include lack of education, peer pressure, and early engagement in sexual activities. The rape factor can also be added as a cause of teenage pregnancy.
Because of teenage pregnancy, young girls are denied the opportunity to further their education and attain their life goals. Teenage pregnancy has also resulted in many death cases from birth complications.
According to Linet, getting pregnant at that age made her learn a lot. She went back to school after giving birth to chase her dreams because, as she says, life had to move on.
“Pregnancy does not define us. Some people think that it is the end of life. Others have however proved to us that there is more to life. Girls who unfortunately get pregnant while still young, can also learn important lessons from such mistakes. It does not define who you are. It is about how you overcome the challenge,” Linet stated.
According to Ida Odinga Trust Foundation, only 2 percent of early pregnancy victims continue with their education after delivery. The Foundation calls on all concerned organisations to make sure 100 percent of the girls go back to school after they deliver.
Through its Linda Kesho Programme, the Foundation equips young people with comprehensive sexual reproduction information.
“The biggest problem is that information on comprehensive sexual reproduction is not in schools,” said the Foundation’s Communications Head, Brian Odhiambo Otieno.
Otieno believes that with such information, the children will learn to abstain from sex in order to prevent early and unwanted pregnancies.
