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Dimapur, Sep. 19 (EMN): Curiosity and early exposure to sexual activities coupled with lack of sex education and knowledge on contraceptive devices have been attributed as the main cause for teenage pregnancy.
This was stated by Dr. Nuonenuo Terhase, consultant obstetrics and gynaecologist, during a webinar organised by the Nagaland branch of the
Family Planning Association of India (FPAI) on September 18.
According to Terhase, early exposure to sexual activities like early marriage that usually happens in the mainland India, lack of sex education and knowledge of contraceptive devices are accountable for teenage pregnancy.
She also stated that domestic and sexual violence in the form of rape are responsible for teenage pregnancy.
According to her, pregnancy are also common among the adolescent group, who are actively involved in activities and behaviours such as abusing drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, financial constraints and unhealthy home environment.
Terhase stated that teens between the age group of 10 to 15 years, if they get pregnant, are more likely to die during the course of pregnancy or during child birth because of various complications when compared to the older age group pregnant women.
Underlining the health and social consequences, she stated that pregnant teen women usually hesitated to go for regular antenatal care and check-up due to social stigma and sometimes due to lack of family support leading to illegal abortion. She added that teenage, who are sexually active, have more chances of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive tract infection and sexual transmitted diseases (STD) like HIV and Hepatitis.
She warned that STD could cause pelvic infections, infertility and anaemia triggering more health complication and postpartum depression, which is common among teenage mother, in the long run.
Speaking about the prevention of teenage pregnancy, she has suggested for sex education and counselling among young people in schools.
“Teenage pregnancy is becoming a major problem with adverse pregnancy complication and leading to illegal abortions,” Dr. Terhase stated.
In order to prevent such incidences, she stated that there are numerous services available at Adolescents Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) clinic in all the district hospitals and sub-centres in village levels.
“In the ARSH clinic, all the screening procedures are free of cost with complete confidentiality. Hence, teenagers, who are exposed to sexual and domestic abuse, can also avail service in the clinic,” she informed.
“It is hard to raise a child when you are still a child. In order to prevent teenage pregnancy, young people should be able to say no to sex and sexual activity under peer pressure and any other influence because our every action comes with bigger responsibility,” she added.