POPCOM appeals to govt to address growing rate of teenage pregnancy

Alarmed by the increase in the number of teenage pregnancies, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) called on the government and all stakeholders to work together to address teenage pregnancy and protect young mothers’ health and rights. 

 

In a statement in observance of the World Population Day (July 11), POPCOM acting executive director Rosalinda Marcelino said “the younger women begin having babies, the longer their reproductive years would be before they reach menopausal period.”

 

“Adolescent pregnancy also increases the risk of maternal and infant deaths,” se added. 

 

To draw public attention to the urgency of the problem of teenage pregnancy, the POPCOM has adopted the theme: “Work for a brighter future. Address teen pregnancy NOW!” for this year’s WPD.

 

Citing data from the National Statistics Office-Family Health Survey in 2011, Marcelino said 9.5 percent of women aged 15 to 19 in the Philippines have begun childbearing, wherein 7.4 percent are already mothers and 2.1 percent are pregnant with their first child.

 

Also, she said data from NSO showed that in 2010, about 13 percent of the total population under 20 years of age have been married. “This is especially true in the rural areas.”

 

Moreover, she said the growing teenage pregnancy rate in the Philippines is alarming not only because it could cause high population growth rate and further strain the country’s resources but also it brings with it other critical concerns.

 

The increasing number of adolescent pregnancy would have great impact on society “such as maternal death, early marriage, limiting access to education and employment, poverty, domestic violence and the threat of HIV/AIDS.

 

A World Health Organization report in 2011 showed that adolescent girls and young women face high levels of morbidity and death as a result of unsafe abortion, Marcelino said, adding that the 2008 WHO data showed there were 3 million unsafe abortions among girls aged 15 to 19 in developing countries.

 

There are 168 maternal deaths by mothers under age 20 in 2010, four of which are under 15 years old, while 164 are between the ages of 15 to 19, according to data from NSO. Moreover, 8.3 percent of the total number of infant deaths in the country is borne by mothers under 20.

 

The NSO-FHS 2011 report also showed that women who became mothers in their teens were less likely to pursue or finish their education.

 

Most of these women either had no grade level completed (20.3 percent) or had reached elementary level (21.4 percent) only.

 

Investing in and empowering adolescent girls are among the most cost-effective and cost-efficient ways to advance the development agenda, said POPCOM. –KG, GMA News