He highlights that 42 per cent of pregnancies in Uganda are unintended, with 60 per cent occurring in young adults under the age of 18. This high prevalence indicates a significant level of sexual activity among young people, leading to increased cases and consequences of unintended pregnancies.
Musinguzi emphasizes the need for different family planning methods to sensitize and prevent unintended pregnancies among young girls. Teenage pregnancies in Uganda pose various health consequences and contribute to the perpetuation of poverty.
Girls who conceive at a young age not only face the risk of dropping out of school but also incur additional costs for accessing care, particularly if complications arise and Caesarean sections are required, which may not be readily available in rural areas.
Studies conducted by the ministry of Gender reveal that one in four Ugandan women aged 15-19 has either given birth or is pregnant with their first child by the age of 18. Uganda faces a high incidence of teenage pregnancies, and policies need to be implemented to address this crisis.
Research conducted by Frontiers in Reproductive Health indicates that one in every five young women in Sub-Saharan Africa becomes pregnant, with 50 per cent of these pregnancies being unintended. Adolescent pregnancies are associated with poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes, as well as a high abortion rate. However, data on incident pregnancies among vulnerable Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) are still limited.
According to a study by the National Library of Medicine in February 2023, unintended pregnancies account for one in three births in Uganda, leading to harmful consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, as evidenced in Oyam district, northern Uganda, where more than two-thirds of adolescents experienced unwanted pregnancies during the crisis.
Unsafe abortions also pose a significant problem, with an estimated 3.9 million occurring each year among girls aged 15-19 in developing regions. Adolescent pregnancy has negative social and economic effects on girls, their families, and communities, often resulting in stigma, rejection, and threats of violence.
The risks associated with teenage pregnancy include preterm birth, growth retardation, and low birth weight, putting both the mother and unborn child at serious risk. Adolescents in the age group of 15-19 are twice as likely to die due to pregnancy and childbirth-related causes compared to older women.
Additionally, children born to adolescent girls have a 50 per cent higher likelihood of dying before their first birthday compared to those born to mothers in their twenties.
Between 2015 and 2019, there were over 121 million unplanned pregnancies worldwide, with a predominance of unwanted conceptions in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Uganda and other African countries require guidelines for adolescents and young people to access contraceptives, particularly in schools. However, the issue of access and use of contraceptives remains controversial in Uganda and other African countries.
Dr Samukeliso Dube, the executive director of Family Planning (FP) 2030, emphasizes the urgent need for family planning policies to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries like Uganda. She emphasizes the importance of sharing ideas on how young people can access family planning services and information, as many countries are currently lagging behind in achieving their family planning targets.
Betty Amongi, the minister of Gender, highlights that Uganda has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in East Africa, at 25 per cent. The implementation of strategies to end child marriage and reduce the teenage pregnancy rate to 10 per cent, as targeted in the current Health Sector Development Plan, could save over Shs 53 billion ($14.9 million) in education costs for children born to teenage mothers.
In June of the previous year, the ministry of Gender launched the National Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy, aiming to address these issues from 2022/2023 to 2026/2027.
Sheikh Abdallah Semambo suggests that family planning activists should invest more in providing information that educates young people about the dangers associated with early sexual activity and conception.
Dr Richard Mugahi, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Reproductive Health, clarifies that family planning services will be provided to sexually active girls and that efforts are being made to help religious leaders understand this approach. He emphasizes that adolescent girls are sensitized about family planning to prevent unintended pregnancies and the associated risks to their lives.
UNESCO estimates that 132 million girls in Africa are out of school, and only a small percentage of those who enter primary school complete secondary education. Additionally, 21 million adolescent girls become pregnant each year, with 12 million of them giving birth, highlighting a significant barrier to completing secondary education.
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