Adolescence is the period when crucial foundations
are established for lifetime behaviours. It is a period when new health
threats appear. These include the beginning of sexual activity and
childbearing which influence lifetime health. It is a critical phase
that calls for attention because of emerging potential and the many
risks that an adolescent girl face. Adolescents and young people are a
very vital factors in influencing the society.
Influencing the mindset and preconception of girls
will instill self acceptance in them and place their future at a better
advantage. This can be achieved through improved access to information
about reproductive health.
An adolescent girl stands at the
doorway of
adulthood. She is the key to breaking the cycle of poor maternal and
child health. Girls who reach adolescence typically begin it in good
health but a variety of health issues during adolescent years determine
her future and the wellbeing of her family for generations to come.
The fifth Millennium Development Goal, which is aimed
at reducing maternal mortality, has a direct relation to adolescent
girls, as many often enter into motherhood unprepared through early
marriages and unplanned pregnancies.
Experts say Nigeria has one of the worst cases of
maternal mortality ratio in the world, at 545 per 100,000 live births,
bearing in mind that pregnancy-related deaths occurring among women aged
15-49 is 398 per 1,000.
The World Health Organisation reveals that about 16
million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth every year, representing roughly
11 per cent of all births worldwide, and a vast majority of these births
occur in developing countries. Yet, the risk of dying from
pregnancy-related causes is much higher for adolescents than for older
women.
This is because many health problems are particularly
associated with negative outcomes of pregnancy during adolescence.
These include anaemia, malaria, HIV and other sexually transmitted
infections, postpartum haemorrhage and mental disorders such as
depression. The Adolescent girl, due to narrow birth canal, is prone to
having obstructed labour — one of the major causes of obstetric fistula
(a hole in the birth canal).
The development of obstetric fistula is directly
linked to one of the major causes of maternal deaths. Women who
experience obstetric fistula suffer incontinence, shame, social
segregation and health problems.
Many girls who become pregnant have to leave school.
This has long-term implications for them as individuals, their families
and communities. The WHO fact sheet on adolescent pregnancy reveals that
stillbirths and deaths in the first week of life are 50 per cent higher
among babies born to mothers younger than 20 years, than among those
born to mothers who are 20-29 years old.
Deaths during the first month of life are 50-100 per
cent more frequent if the mother is an adolescent versus older. In fact,
the younger the mother, the higher the risk.
The rates of preterm birth, low birth weight and
asphyxia are higher among the children of adolescents, all of which
increase the chances of death and of future health problems for the
baby.
Studies have shown that delaying adolescent births
could significantly lower population growth rates, potentially
generating broad economic and social benefits, in addition to improving
the health of adolescents and consequently maternal and child health.
Early intervention through broad and continuous
sexuality education, as well as information dissemination is one of the
ways of preventing health risks associated with adolescent reproduction.
This is to prevent adolescent girls from taking wrong decisions in
relation to their sexuality, since adolescent period is characterised by
increased sexual activities. As such, unintended pregnancies and other
sexual and reproductive health needs should be addressed. They require
access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health services,
interventions for the prevention, treatment and care of sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV. Girls should be empowered to
press for change.
An adolescent girl is a powerful force for change.
Anyone and everyone can become a champion for adolescent girls’ health.
The combined force of the individual acts of students, parents, family
and friends can drive a change that will make the world a better place
for them. Rather than capitalise on the vulnerability of adolescent
girls, let us join forces to shape the health of our girls positively so
that our world may be a safer place for future mothers.
-Adebayo, Executive Director of Girls Alive Counselling Initiative, wrote vide girlsaliveinitiatives@yahoo.com
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