According to UNESCO, the teenage pregnancy and motherhood rate in Kenya stands at 18%. This implies that about 1 in every 5 teenage girls between the ages of 15-19 years, have either had a live birth or are pregnant with their first child. The rate increases rapidly with age from 3% among girls aged 15, to 40% among girls aged 19.
On Friday 13th July 2023, officials from the Reproductive Health Network organized a detailed training to young teenage mothers at Wakukha Pentecostal Assemblies of God, to address key issues on family planning methods, hygiene and contraceptives.
Beverlyne Polet, a Reproductive Health Nurse at the Kakamega County Referral Hospital explained the various methods of birth control and the importance of visiting health centers to acquire the suitable methods.
She also urged the young mothers to be able to speak about their sexual health issues and also attend the health facilities earlier to ensure that they are able to go through the ante-natal procedure with ease.
In attendance at the event were key stakeholders in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in the area.
By Aisha Abubakar