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Guide to stem pregnancies in teens unveiled

Thursday, May 12th, 2022 07:00 | By
Acting Director of Medical Services Dr Andrew Mulwa PHOTO/Courtesy

Data from Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) shows that at least one in every five pregnancies recorded in the country last year were among adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years.

Acting Director of Medical Services Dr Andrew Mulwa (pictured) yesterday said the 2022 KHIS data shows progress in tackling teenage pregnancies compared to the 2018/19, which recorded 30 per cent within the same age group.

He said the ministry is working on interventions to ensure the challenge is addressed gradually.

Mulwa further noted that KHIS survey shows that 104 deaths were recorded among girls aged 10-19 due to pregnancy related issues last year compared to 29 cases in 2020.

He made the remarks during the launch of adolescent, sexual and reproductive health guide dubbed ‘Understanding Adolescence: A guide for adolescents’ at the Kenya High School in Nairobi yesterday.

Guide is designed to aid adolescents cope with emotional, social or physical challenges.

It highlights 16 topics including relationship issues, health-related challenges, drugs and substance abuse among others.

Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe said teenagers unknowingly make unguided and poor decisions on matters regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

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