By Chipo Brenda
Researchers urge inclusion of boys in efforts to curb early pregnancies
Researchers have revealed that young men are increasingly responsible for Uganda’s high rate of teenage pregnancies, calling for their inclusion in national efforts to curb early pregnancies.
According to Dr. Mirembe Damali from the Makerere University–Johns Hopkins University (MUJHU) Research Collaboration, almost two decades of interventions have failed to reduce the rate, which has remained at about 25%. “Since 2006, the Ministry of Health and its partners have worked to reduce teenage pregnancies, but the results remain minimal,” she said.
Dr. Mirembe noted that young men aged 15 to 24 play a key role, often influenced by alcohol, drugs, peer pressure, and small financial incentives that lure girls into sex. Her study revealed that 73% of young fathers encourage peers to engage in similar behavior, while poor knowledge and misuse of contraceptives continue to worsen the situation.
At the 11th Annual Adolescent Health Conference in Kampala, Dr. Melissa Stockwell, Professor of Pediatrics and Population Health from Columbia University, warned that adolescents are still struggling with long-term effects of COVID-19, which may influence risky behaviors. She urged parents, teachers, and health workers to offer strong guidance before young people make regrettable choices.
Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, President of the Society for Adolescent Health in Uganda (SAHU), urged a shift in focus from blaming older men to engaging young boys. “We should stop the song of one in every four girls getting pregnant before 18 and start addressing the behavior of young boys driving this crisis,” she said.
Dr. Allan Kasozi from the Ministry of Health commended researchers for providing critical evidence and pledged to strengthen youth-friendly services. He also urged the Ministry of ICT to regulate social media, which he described as a major contributor to teenage pregnancies
