USAID, Health Ministry launch campaign to combat teenage pregnancies
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The Ministry of Health, in partnership with USAID SBCA and other supporting organizations have launched a campaign to combat teenage pregnancies.
The campaign named BOLD stands for Believe in dreams, Own choices, Live with purpose, and Dedicate to destiny was launched at Banda Secondary School in Banda Sub-county, Namayingo District.
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This social behaviour change campaign of adolescent and young people, is dedicated to empowering Uganda’s youth to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on the Busoga region particularly Namayingo District where teenage pregnancy rates have been a persistent challenge.
It will inspire adolescents to take control of their futures by promoting healthy decision-making.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Charles Oralo, the Director Clinical and Curative in the Ministry of Health, noted that the campaign aspires to build a healthier, more informed, and more empowered generation.
He explained that the campaign targets adolescence, a critical period when individuals develop habits and make decisions that can impact the rest of their lives.
"Adolescent is a very special age, a critical period of growth and development and during this period, young people form habits and make decisions that impact their health and well being for the rest of their lives. So when you make decisions now, they have a very significant impact, but if you make negative decisions, they will have impact for the rest of your life, which you will still remember for the rest of your life," Dr Oralo said.
Dr. Richard Kabanda, Head of the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Health Communication at the Ministry of Health, stated that the campaign is designed to empower young people to reclaim their voice and say no to negative influences.
"If you look at how the board campaign was developed, it tries to empower people, especially the young people to be able to take back their position and say no to what they think and what they believe, that does not work for them."
He urged parents, guardians, teachers, and stakeholders to rise to the challenge and support this initiative, emphasizing that young people can only say no when parents play their part.
"Whereas you want the young people to take that board stand, the parents, the guardians, the teachers and all key stakeholders must stand up to the challenge. The younger people can only say no if we do our part, and I think that was the gift of the development of the campaign that empower the young people, but let us, who are older, be able to take our part," Dr. Kabanda said.
He hailed USAID SBCA, through its Obulamu campaign, for consistently supporting the ministry's efforts to build a healthier and more empowered generation resistant to unhealthy practices.
Mathias Mangeni, the Assistant District Health Officer of Namayingo, noted that this national campaign will help reshape their strategies for engaging the younger population to take charge of their health.
He mentioned that Namayingo still faces challenges with youth engagement in health services.
Mangeni stated that in the 2023/24 financial year, the teenage pregnancy rate in Namayingo District was at 28%. He noted that, thanks to collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, this rate has decreased by 2%.
"The financial year 2023/24 we were at 28% and that was one of the highest in the country. And at that time, we were second in the region, in the sub region of Busoga, and one of the sub counties, Bukaana Sub-county, at that time, was at 46% but with interventions, we have seen it drop. After one year, it dropped to 26% but this is still high. But a drop of 2% a lot of interventions, a lot of investments and a lot of collaborative approaches. Currently, one of the Sub-county that was at 47% is at 31%."
Mangeni noted that the district has taken significant steps to protect and empower teenagers, especially girls, with a key approach being peer-to-peer support. He added that they have also involved and empowered teachers to provide counseling sessions for students to help them stay focused on their goals.
Jessica Healey, the Director of the Office of Health and HIV at USAID, encouraged teenagers to be bold and take proactive steps, urging them to look out for their classmates.
She also called on teachers to foster a supportive environment that encourages students to approach them easily.
"I think it's time for us to be angry. We're here because we don't think it's good enough. We're here because we think you deserve better and the future can be better and safer and healthier for the people of Namayingo and we are here committed to that partnership. I encourage you to be bold, take bold steps, watch out for your classmates," she said.
" Teachers, by creating that environment where children are safe, they can come to you for help. Let us identify those people who can be agents of change, who can help us stay safe. If one of your friends is going through a difficult period, tell someone you trust, get them help. Demand better, and we're here with you on this journey."
Healey affirmed USAID's commitment to continue supporting the BOLD campaign.
"I think this will require a lot of dialog in the communities, and we're committed to that support and partnership. We're also committed to supporting the Ministry of Health, community, health workforce(VHTs)." She added.
According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) data for 2022, teenage pregnancy rates remain high at 24%, barely down from 25% in 2016. Disturbingly, these pregnancies contribute to 18% of annual maternal deaths in Uganda.
