Teenage pregnancy in Uganda during COVID19 times

A rampant increase in teenage pregnancies is one of the negative effects COVID19 has had on Uganda. In July 2020, it was reported that in Kitgum, Ngora, Kyegegwa, Kasese and Lyantonde districts alone, there were more than 2,372 teenage pregnancies during this lockdown. Teenage pregnancies, among other risk factors, increase the number of girls who are not in school and the rate of HIV infections. Although there have been reports of increased numbers of teenage pregnancies after the outbreak of COVID19, the vice of teenage pregnancies is not new in Uganda. A quarter of teenage girls in Uganda have been reported to be teenage mothers (UDHS, 2016).

What are the major causes of teenage of pregnancies?

The major causes of teenage pregnancies include:-

· High poverty rates which forces a lot of girls to drop out of school and start having transactional sex for money to feed themselves, their families and buy other necessities such as sanitary towels.

· Lack of educative/sensitization programs to teenagers on safe sex and the dangers of teenage pregnancy.

· Unsupportive parents who force their teenage daughters into early marriages in exchange for bride price/dowry.

· Lack of adequate supervision by care givers and the community which leaves many teenage girls in danger.

What can be done to reduce the numbers of teenage pregnancies or end teenage pregnancies all together in our communities?

· It is important to know that girls and boys play a vital role in the process of teenage pregnancies. During adolescence, hormonal activity is at its peak and it often encourages teens to engage in sexual practices. Teenagers need to know that they are in command of their hormones and they need not to be driven by quick impulses and desires. Abstinence is a sure way to prevent a teenage pregnancy.

· Another main reason that contributes to teenage pregnancy is peer pressure. Due to lack of information, many girls and boys feel pressured to follow their friends’ habits due to the fear of missing out or being left out. It is important that girls and boys surrounds themselves with people that will support them instead of criticizing them into negative action.

· There are different strategies teenagers can use to cope with life during the lock down that can reduce their exposure to bad company and making bad decisions and . Teenagers can among others;- revise school books, read newspapers and story books, assist their parents with house work, play either alone or with friends, get interested in how their parents/guardian or siblings make a living and offer them a helping hand.

· Friends, parents/ guardians, local authorities and civil societies have a very important role to play in supporting girls and boys in their communities beat falling into the teenage pregnancy trap. Friends, parents/ guardians, local authorities and civil societies are called to avail appropriate information to teenagers on sex education; about the dangers of engaging in early sex and; the long term impact this can have on one’s life. This can be done through having a conversation or allowing the teenagers to access information from media programs (newspapers, radio, Television) or seminars.

· Community leaders such as local council leaders, probation officers, police officers, teachers among others should whenever they interact with communities remind men and women that engaging in sexual relations with any teenager below 18 years is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.

What should be done in case a teenage girl gets pregnant?

· In case a girl becomes pregnant, she should report to her parents or guardian immediately. In case this is not possible, she should then report to a responsible person (adult relative, local council leader, probation officer, an employee of a civil society, adult relative or friend of the family).

· Friends, parents/ guardians should offer a supportive environment to a pregnant teenager. During this time, a pregnant teenager is most likely to feel alone, frightened and extremely sensitive. Pregnant teenager need a calm, loving and enabling environment to help them go through this phase of their life.

· The girl either alone, or together with a responsible person should make a report to police. This is to enable criminal proceedings of the offense of defilement to start against the parties responsible for the pregnancy. Men and boys who are responsible for impregnating teenage girls should be held fully accountable by the long arm of the law in order to deter others in society from making the same mistakes.

It is important that a probation officer follows up a case of teenage pregnancy all through the justice system until it is concluded.

· The girl should then either alone or still together with a responsible person seek medical attention. Medical attention is important because it will offer the girl information on the pregnancy, HIV Prevention and PEP incase the girl is a victim of defilement.

· Parents/guardians, local leaders, civil societies and school authorities should support and encourage a pregnant teenager/ a teenage mother to go back to school. It is important that teenagers do not miss out on government incentives such as free or subsidized education. Finishing school puts teenagers at an advantage of attaining skills that are vital to securing jobs. These jobs would help teenagers take care of their young families and eventually minimize the negative effects of teenage pregnancies.