Washington
03 March 2009
The United Nations says 53,000 women in Nigeria die annually of pregnancy-related illnesses. That is one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Doctors and youth counselors in Nigeria say teenage mothers are more at risk because of poverty, lack of access to health care, and a culture that does not like to talk about sex.
Pedro villagers preparing fish |
Dr. Mariam Jagun, with Compass, a Nigerian health organization, says more than 20 percent of adolescents girls in this neighborhood are mothers.
"For teenage pregnancy the problem about it is, because they are pregnant early and they are not prepared for it, they are less likely to go for antenatal care," Jagun said.
She says teenagers having babies in Nigeria perpetuates a cycle of poverty and exposes both mother and child to greater health risks. To break the cycle, Compass volunteers reach out to teenagers in Pedro Village to make sure they know that health-care options are available.
Elizabeth Uzo - two months pregnant- says sometimes she feels ashamed.
Dr. Mariam Jagun |
The Lagos State has also set up youth friendly centers to provide adolescents accurate and confidential counseling on sex related matters.
Ministry of Health youth counselor Christiana Ladapo leads candid after-school discussions about sex, peer pressure, abstinence, and contraceptives. She says teenage pregnancy has been on the rise because society has ignored the problem.
Christiana Ladapo |
Using role play situations she gets young people to confront real life situations and set goals. Tina Afolayan says one day she wants to make a difference, like U.S. President Barack Obama.
"Just like Obama. If he had impregnated a girl. He would not have been the president of the United States. So I just want to be a great [president] in the future," she said.
By delaying pregnancy, she says, she is giving herself a chance for a better future.