More young girls seek out antenatal clinics

Emmanuel Kafe

YOUNG girls between the ages of 10 and 19 accounted for around 21 percent of females who sought antenatal clinics (ANC) services between January 2019 and December 2022.

The latest statistics also show that the country’s prevalence of adolescent pregnancies stands at 23,7 percent.

Data from the National Assessment of Adolescent Pregnancies in Zimbabwe — conducted by the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe (CeSHHAR); the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Zimbabwe); the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef Zimbabwe); and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation — reveals that these pregnancies are driven by sexual abuse and early exposure to pornography, and indecent online content.

The study, which randomly selected 1 418 adolescent girls from enumeration areas in six out of the 10 provinces in Zimbabwe, found that approximately 1 706 946 adolescents sought ANC services at 1 560 healthcare facilities between January 2019 and December 2022.

Of the bookings recorded during this period, 0,2 percent were among girls aged 10 to 14, while those aged 15 to 19 accounted for 21 percent.

Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare acting deputy director Mr Shingirai Paungano said adolescent pregnancies are an emergency.

“Adolescent pregnancies is a multi-faceted issue that affects the health and prospects of young women, but also has profound implications on the socio-economic development of our nation.

“It is a concern that requires our urgent action, demanding a collaborative approach that transcends individual and organisational boundaries,” said Mr Paungano.

The assessment report also showed that out of the 1 532 maternal deaths recorded in Zimbabwe from 2019 to 2022, at least 25 percent were among adolescent and young women.

Said United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in Zimbabwe Mr Edward Kallon: “The findings of this assessment have confirmed that the young girls of Zimbabwe need our protection and require our joint investment efforts.

“A multi-sectoral approach is imperative, calling on all line ministries to work together.”

Mr Kallon said the findings highlight harmful practices, limited knowledge of pregnancy risks among young people and lack of parent-to-child communication, and, therefore, provide direction for interventions. The study also found that Zimbabwe had a contraceptive prevalence rate of 67 percent among women aged 15 and above, during the period under review.

However, sexually active adolescents faced limited access to modern contraceptives.

The study recorded an adolescent birth rate of 108 per 1 000 women, and it revealed that sexual debut among adolescents is typically around 14 or 15 years of age.

CeSHHAR research portfolio manager Ms Zivai Mupambireyi said several factors were contributing to adolescent pregnancies in the country.

Out of the 1 418 adolescents selected for the study, 430 reported being sexually active, and approximately 324 were pregnant.

Among those who were pregnant, 0,5 percent reported attempting to terminate their pregnancies.