Nasur Masaba, a clinician who represented the Budaka District Health Officer noted that the survey was conducted in the health Centers of Kamonkoli Health Center III, Budaka Health Center IV, Iki Iki, and Kadeluna Health Center IIIs.
At least 942
girls in Budaka district got pregnant in the first three months of the lockdown,
health officials have revealed.
According to health officials in the district,
a survey conducted between April and July in only four health facilities
indicated that over 900 school-age going girls were pregnant.
This was revealed during the launch of a Youth Corner at
Budaka Health Center IV in Budaka district. Nasur Masaba, a clinician
who represented the Budaka District Health Officer noted that the survey was
conducted in Kamonkoli Health Center III, Budaka Health Center IV, Iki Iki, and
Kadeluna Health Center IIIs. He said the
number of pregnancies is alarming since it is the first they are registering
such a number, adding that many pregnant girls may have not been captured.
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Dr. John Wagobaga, the in-charge of Budaka Health Center IV, says that the
number of young mothers who turn up for antenatal care at the health facility
is alarming. He says 25 per cent of the mothers who turn for antennal care at
the facility are between 13 and 19 years of age.
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Patrick Erick Wagisile, a peer educator at Iki Iki Health Center III, blames
the increase in the numbers of teenage pregnancies in the district to lack of basic
needs and lack of knowledge on Reproductive Health and family planning
services. He said that many of the girls who come to the health facility
fear to open up because health workers are not of their age.
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Sebs Kadokech, the Programs Director oNaguru Teenage Center, says they entered a
partnership with Budaka District Local Government to implement adolescent
health programs and provide sexual and Reproductive Health Services. He
said that the Youth Corner will help young people access information and services
on reproductive health.
Kirinya Ayubu is the URN Bureau Chief of Elgon/Bukedi Sub Regions . He holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Islamic University in Uganda and a Diploma in Computer Science and Information Technology from the same University.
