DAVAO CITY – The city government said it has intensified its information education campaign to help address the high number of teen pregnancy cases here amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
This after data from the City Health Office (CHO) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) showed that the city ranks fifth nationwide in teenage pregnancy incidence.
“For two consecutive years, it may be sad to note, Davao City was among the top five with the high number of teen pregnancy cases in the country,” Jerrielyn Lewis, acting chief of the CHO population division, said in a statement Wednesday.
In 2021, Lewis said the city logged 2,925 teen pregnancies among the 15 to 19-year-old age group, which dropped from 3,464 in 2020.
In comparison, she said the pregnancy cases for teens aged 13 have been relatively fewer in the same period.
“This is why we are striving to provide the right service to address this problem. The number may be a small part of our population but this has a great effect on our youth,” said Lewis, also the CHO pre-marriage counseling coordinator.
Lewis said they have intensified education campaigns through forums in schools during the pre-pandemic period, and community classes covering values formation, human sexuality, and family planning.
She said the common reasons for teenage pregnancy include the lack of information on sexual health, dysfunctional family that could not guide a growing teen, peer pressure from friends, and social media influence.
Meanwhile, Mark Timbang, the CSWDO children welfare focal person, underscored the importance of values formation among children and not just during the teenage years.
“It is a great concern that our children are facing this challenge. Parents teaching values to their children is a big factor,” he said.
Timbang said they focus on strengthening the values of the youth and helping them realize that they should instead think of their future and give importance to finishing their studies and fulfilling their dreams.
“Teen girls should also be educated about the consequences of early pregnancy, such as dropping out of school, health risks during pregnancy, and an uncertain future,” he added. (PNA)
