Chadiza District has recorded 1,071 teenage pregnancies in the last eight months of this year. District Adolescent Health Coordinator, Nkhuwa Mabvuto, says the number is cumulatively from January to August this year. He expressed concern over the health complications young girls’…

Chadiza District has recorded 1,071 teenage pregnancies in the last eight months of this year.

District Adolescent Health Coordinator, Nkhuwa Mabvuto, says the number is cumulatively from January to August this year.

He expressed concern over the health complications young girls’ face when they fall pregnant.

Mr Mabvuto said in most cases, adolescents fail to deliver normally because their pelvic is not mature enough to handle the stress of pregnancy, forcing health workers to conduct caesarean sections.

He said prolonged labour is also common, with some adolescents staying in labour for three to four days, which can lead to complications such as obstetric fistula where the passage of the vagina connects to the rectum.

Mr Mabvuto said adolescents are also at high risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV.

Meanwhile, Mr Mabvuto said the Ministry of Health is conducting community sensitisation on the importance of abstinence, distributing condoms to both men and women, and engaging traditional leaders who are custodians of children in the communities.

He stated that the department is also sensitizing young people on alcohol and substance abuse, which contributes to risky sexual behaviour.

Mr Mabvuto has called on parents to continue educating their children and report pregnancy cases early so that the ministry can intervene in good time.