Narok County – In Narok County, there has been a notable two percent decrease in teenage pregnancy this year. This improvement is attributed to a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies. The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) recently organized a meeting to discuss the challenges of teenage pregnancy, HIV/sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence among adolescents in Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, representing County Director of Health Services Dr. Francis Kiio, the number of teenage pregnancies has reduced from 11,334 last year to 8,946 cases this year. The age group breakdown indicates 614 pregnancies among 10 to 14-year-olds and 8,332 cases in the 15-19 age group.
Comparatively, Narok County recorded 13,593 teenage pregnancies in 2021 and a peak of 22,760 cases in 2020. Sang pointed out that these statistics, derived from the first antenatal clinic visits, might be lower than the actual figures as some young mothers opt not to attend these clinics.
Sang also highlighted other pressing issues affecting adolescents and young people, including drug and substance abuse, female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages, and inadequate parental care and guidance.
Benard Kigen from the NCPD emphasized the importance of a comprehensive government approach, partnerships, and policy engagement to effectively tackle these challenges. He described the triple threat as a national campaign addressing various factors that contribute to social and economic inequalities and adversely affect the health of adolescents and young people.
The 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) ranked Narok County fourth in teenage pregnancy, recording 28 percent, a decrease from 40 percent in 2014 and against the national average of 15 percent.