GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - South Africa is grappling with the persistent problem of high teenage pregnancy numbers, and in the Eden Health District, it is no different.
According to Nadia Ferreira, Western Cape Health and Wellness' district spokesperson, 942 girls aged 10 to 19 gave birth at health facilities in the district in the 10 months between January and October this year. [That is an average of 94.2 per month, so a total of about 1 130 births for the year could be extrapolated.]
Ferreira said there is no significant upward trend in the figures from the previous two years.
A total of 579 terminations of pregnancy (ToPs) was recorded in the district during these 10 months.
Statistics from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) do not indicate an increase in learner pregnancies, either.
A WCED spokesperson, Kerry Mauchline, said their available data indicate the following numbers of learners falling pregnant from 2017 to 2023:
2017: 2 208
2018: 2 159
2019: 2 283
2020: 1 828
2021: 1 754
2022: 1 602
2023: 2 056.
The figures are likely understated during the Covid-19 period - 2020 to 2022 - due to the learners being at home most of the time, says Mauchline.
Specific data on the drop-out rate specifically due to pregnancies are not available. Mauchline says some learners do not necessarily report that they are pregnant, and the learners who are pregnant may drop out for reasons other than pregnancy, such as social issues, ill health, relocation to another province, or attending TVET colleges.
Contributing factors
Laurie Edwall, director of the Options Care Centre for Crisis Pregnancy, says one reason for teen pregnancy is absent fathers. "Girls become more vulnerable to other men because of missing fathers. There is pressure to prove their love by having sex. Some of the young girls don't understand sex or their own bodies.
Poverty adds a vulnerability when older men offer to buy them things. Unsupervised teens due to the parents being out working is another cause.
"Menstruation onset is also earlier, and there is a real need for conversations about sex and sexuality from the parents. They are getting some from school, but need these conversations at home, too. Some live with grandparents who feel unequipped to have these conversations."
Edwall says there is also a lot of peer pressure. "The law says that sex under 16 for teens is not legal, but some of the girls see the men as a boyfriend even though legally they are underage."
The Eden District is suffering a huge number of teenage pregnancies.
Support, info readily available for teens
The disruption in girls' schooling due to teenage pregnancy may negatively impact their employment potential and financial stability for themselves and their children.
Edwall says the responsibilities and challenges posed by teen pregnancy are huge, and teen mums struggle to continue their goals and dreams without support. The support from parents makes a huge difference, but where teen mums stand alone, community help is essential. This is where Options steps in.
The Western Cape Health and Wellness Department and Education Department also offer support and educational services.
Here are some lists:
Options' Teen Mums Support Group offers:
- Counselling
- Input for healthy pregnancy
- Getting them back to school
- Ongoing support group during their whole school career
- Helping with goals and dreams
- Helping them learn parenting skills
- Teaching them about personal spiritual and emotional growth
- Practical support
- Learn to Earn programme to tutor them in achieving their goals
- Personal coaching to stay on track.
Options Youth Group
- Works with youngsters weekly
- Visits schools and youth groups to talk about healthy life choices
- Youth welcomed at Options to talk these things through, not just when there is a pregnancy
- Helps parents and grandparents talk on this topic with their children and grandchildren.
The Health and Wellness Department:
- Offers comprehensive health education focusing on responsible decision-making and access to reproductive health services.
- Collaborates closely with partners across various departments to ensure that young people receive the support they need.
- Supplies a variety of contraceptive options at local health facilities.
- Youth-friendly services, dedicated times and trained staff for a welcoming environment for adolescents.
- For young mothers: antenatal and postnatal care, immunisations, family planning, nutritional guidance, and mental health support.
- Three pilot project sites for Planet Youth interventions in the district. Focused on reducing risky behaviours by strengthening protective factors in young people's lives. Forms partnerships with schools, parents and community stakeholders to promote healthy lifestyles, substance-use prevention and positive youth development.
Nadia Ferreira, Eden district spokesperson for the Western Cape health department.
What does the WCED offer?
- Pregnant learners in need of support are referred directly from the school to the Circuit Based Support Team (CBST) social workers.
- The socials workers offer:
- Counselling and emotional support.
- Referral services: Prenatal care, healthcare providers, and parenting classes.
- Educational support: Collaborate with teachers and the school to ensure appropriate support and accommodation for pregnant learners to ensure they can continue their education without discrimination.
- Educational planning: How to manage their schoolwork while caring for a child, flexible schedules, home tutoring, or online education options.
- Transition back to school: Reintegration plans.
- Workshops on parenting skills, child development, and balancing school and parenthood.
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