AT least 23% of the 1 532 maternal deaths recorded between 2019 and 2022 in Zimbabwe were among adolescents below 20 years, a new study shows.
Presenting the study findings, Sexual Health and HIV/Aids Research Zimbabwe (CeSHHAR Zimbabwe) research portfolio manager Zivai Mupambireyi said Zimbabwe recorded an increase in pregnancies among adolescents during the COVID-19 period.
“The fact that adolescents were out of school for a long period mainly contributed to the pregnancies,” Mupambireyi said.
“The adolescents are left on their own in child-headed households and they end up taking risky measures.”
The study was conducted by CeSHHAR Zimbabwe with support from government, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and other partners,
Mupambireyi blamed poverty for the rise in pregnancies among adolescents.
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“It’s also a contributing factor because they end up taking up activities such as prostitution at growth points, business centres, prostituting at illegal mining sites, as well as in schools among other places,” Mupambireyi said.
“With some, they end up dropping out of school just to contribute to household income.
“In short, we are seeing that the bulk of the pregnancies are happening around 15- to 19-year-olds, we are also beginning to see the 10 to 14-year-olds falling pregnant.”
In a speech read on his behalf by UNFPA country representative Miranda Tabifor, UN humanitarian and resident co-ordinator Edward Kallon said adolescent pregnancies remained a major contributor to maternal and child mortality.
“The findings of this assessment have confirmed that the young girls of Zimbabwe need our protection and require our joint investment efforts. A multi-sectoral approach is imperative, calling on all line ministries to work together,” Kallon said.
“The findings highlight harmful practices, limited knowledge of pregnancy risks among young people, and lack of parent-to-child communication.
“These findings provide direction for intervention. I believe we have a strong case for investing in young people, especially girls. What we now need to do is to respond to the needs of young people and build a future for them.”
Speaking at the same event, Child President Neville Mavu decried that children are being forced to become parents to their younger siblings.
“It is unacceptable that so many young girls are finding themselves in this difficult situation of becoming parents to other children,” Mavu said.