Low condom use increases teen pregnancies in Mzimba – DHO

Mzimba District Health Office (DHO) has bemoaned low condom use among the youth which has contributed to an increase in teenage pregnancies in the district.

Mzimba District Hospital youth friendly coordinator Gloria Ng’ambi has since said a recent demographic health survey showed that teenage pregnancies rose to 29 percent in 2015 from 26 percent in 2010.

She said this in an interview on Tuesday on the sidelines of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (Larc) programme designed to reduce teenage pregnancies in the district.

Ngambi said: “We have noted that there is low condom use among the youth and this has led to an increase in teenage pregnancies. So, we want them to either use contraceptives or use condoms as one way of preventing unwanted pregnancies.

“We are currently busy conducting campaigns to share information to create demand for youth friendly services so that they are able to make informed choices on the service to go for.”

Mzimba DHO Lumbani Munthali said a lot of young girls are experiencing problems during birth because they fall pregnant whilst not matured, hence the need for youth programmes to ensure they are aware of what services to acquire.

Munthali said about 12 mothers are dying annually due to complications arising from teenage pregnancies.

He thanked United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for financial assistance towards the programme in the district

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