Over 2 100 Ohangwena teens fall pregnant

From the close to 12 000 pregnancies recorded in the Ohangwena Region during the just-ended financial year, 2 102 were teenagers.This was revealed by Ohangwena governor Sebastian Ndeitunga yesterday during his State of the Region (SORA) address. The former inspector-general of the Namibian Police has described the situation as a challenge.“Teenage pregnancy continues to be a significant challenge in the region,” he said. “A total number of 11 789 pregnancies were attended to at public health facilities for the reporting period, and out of that, 2 102 were teenagers.”Teenage pregnancy remains a challenge in all regions, but the situation in Ohangwena has been alarming, he said.Earlier this year, it was reported that 9 077 girls aged 19 and younger from the region fell pregnant between January 2020 and April 2024.According to the World Health Organisation, teens face higher risks during and after pregnancy, while their babies are more likely to be born early, small and with neonatal conditions."Early childbearing can derail girls’ otherwise healthy development into adulthood and have negative impacts on their education, livelihood and health. Many girls who are pregnant are pressured or forced to drop out of school, which can impact their educational and employment prospects and opportunities. Early pregnancy and childbearing can also have social consequences for girls, including reduced status in the home and community, stigmatisation, rejection and violence by family members, peers and partners," a United Nations Children's Fund study - published in January - found. HIV, tuberculosisNdeitunga also revealed statistics on HIV prevalence in the region. In this regard, he revealed that out of the over 49 000 people who were tested during the period under review, 853 were confirmed positive.He added that 28 732 are currently on antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. “Currently, 28 732 patients are on ARV treatment in the region, with 85.3% of them achieving viral load suppression,” he said.“The prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme is well implemented in all our health facilities to ensure that no child is born with HIV in the region. Out of 1 250 babies exposed to HIV, 18 were born with the virus.”Meanwhile, tuberculosis (TB) was highlighted as another challenge plaguing the region.Ndeitunga said 910 cases were detected and subsequently put on treatment, producing a success rate of 80%.kenya@namibiansun.com

Over 2 100 Ohangwena teens fall pregnant

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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Over 2 100 Ohangwena teens fall pregnant

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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