By Michael Gwarisa
Adolescent pregnancy prevalence in Zimbabwe is standing at 23.7 percent, while 21 percent of Antenatal Clinic (ANC) bookings were recorded from January 2019 to December 2022 among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, HealthTimes can reveal.
The pregnancies have largely been driven by a myriad of factors, chief among them being economic-induced hardships, sexual abuse, and early exposure to pornographic and indecent online content, according to data from a National Assessment of Adolescent Pregnancies in Zimbabwe.
The National assessment was conducted by the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research Zimbabwe (CeSHHAR), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Zimbabwe) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF Zimbabwe) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with support from the Health Resilience Fund and Safeguard Young People programme.
According to data from the study where 1418 adolescent girls were randomly selected from the enumeration areas in six out of the 10 provinces in Zimbabwe, the number of adolescents who booked in Antenatal Clinics (ANC) was approximately 1,706,946 in 1,560 healthcare facilities from January 2019 to December 2022.
From the bookings recorded during the period, 0.2 percent were among the age groups 10-14 years while those aged 15 to 19 accounted for 21 percent.
Officiating at a workshop where findings from the assessment report were presented, his Excellency Edward Kallon, the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe who was represented by the UNFPA Zimbabwe representative, Miranda Tabifor said the findings from the study were a wake-up call to the government and partners to invest in the young girls’ Sexual Reproductive Health needs.
Context Zimbabwe has a young population facing challenges related to their development, including adolescent pregnancy, which remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality,” said Dr 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.”
He added that the findings highlight harmful practices, limited knowledge of pregnancy risks among young people, and lack of parent-to-child communication and they provide direction for intervention.
“I believe we have a strong case for investing in young people, especially girls. What we now need to do is to respond to the needs of young people and build a future for them. As the UN family, we are committed to supporting a multi-sectorial approach to achieving good health and well-being for adolescents and young people.”
Data from the report also indicates that 1 532 maternal deaths were recorded from 2019 to 2022 and of the 1 532 maternal deaths that were recorded in Zimbabwe during the same period, 25 percent were among adolescent and young women. There was also a decline in the number of pregnant women newly testing positive for ANC in 2020 among the 15–19-year age group which then increased in 2021 and another surge in 2022 of COVID-19 and related measures which might have disrupted provision of PMTCT services such as HIV testing.
Mr Shingirai Paungano, the Acting Deputy Director Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare said adolescent pregnancies were an emergency in Zimbabwe.
“Adolescent pregnancies is a multi-faceted issue that affects the health and future 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.
Meanwhile, the country had 67 percent Contraceptive prevalence rate among women aged 15+ years during the period under review amidst indications that sexually active adolescents are experiencing limited access to modern contraceptives. A 108 Adolescent Birth Rate (ABR) per 1000 women was also recorded during the study period. 13 percent of adolescent girls 10-19 years had a sexual encounter (ever had sex) Sexual debut is mostly around 14/15 years.
Presenting findings from the National Assessment of Adolescents Pregnancies in Zimbabwe, Ms. Zivai Mupambireyi, and the Research Portfolio Manager as CeSHHAR said a number of factor were contributing to adolescent pregnancies.
“We are saying in Zimbabwe, we are still battling Adolescent Fertility and also the COVID-19 pandemic contributed significantly to the upsurge in the number of adolescents falling pregnant,” said Ms. Mupambireyi.
“The fact that adolescents were out of school for a prolonged period also contributed. They were also saying the economic decline that is prevailing in the country and facing parents to migrate to regional and international destinations is also contributing to adolescent pregnancies where adolescents are left on their own in child headed households or with care givers who in some instances end up abusing the children.”
She also said poverty had forced children to be caregivers and providers as they also end up engaging in child labour to supplement household income. She added that even though the bulk of pregnancies were happening among the 15 to 19 year olds, there was also an increase on the number of 10 to 14 olds falling pregnant.
Out of the 1418 adolescents that were selected during the study, 430 reported that they were sexually active and about 324 were pregnant. Out of those that were pregnant, 0.5 percent self-reported that they tried to terminate the pregnancies.
