Over 14,000 girls impregnated in Bono Region -Nursing Director

The Bono Region reported 14,877 teenage pregnancies from 2021 to 2024. Rita Adjoa Ansong, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, shared this information.

She noted that there were also 1,188 abortion cases during this time. These figures involve girls aged 15 to 19 years.

Ms. Ansong spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Sunyani. The meeting focused on African Vaccination Week (AVW) and Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW).

In detail, she provided statistics for each year:
- In 2021: 3,999 pregnancies and 388 abortions
- In 2022: 4,058 pregnancies and 351 abortions
- In 2023: 3,328 pregnancies and 282 abortions
- In 2024: 3,492 pregnancies and 217 abortions

Ms. Ansong described the situation as worrying. She urged stakeholders to support Family Planning (FP) coverage for active teenage girls.

She explained that FP helps girls make informed choices about their health. This support allows them to continue their education.

However, myths and misconceptions hinder access to FP services. Cultural and religious beliefs also obstruct women's access to these methods.

In terms of coverage, FP services reached only 39.58% of expected women in reproductive age in 2024. This was an increase from the previous year's rate of 36.45%.

The acceptor rate for FP services increased by just 0.08%. This slight improvement resulted from partner collaboration and better commodity supply.

Free commodities from organizations like Marie Stopes contributed significantly to this increase. Ms. Ansong emphasized that FP empowers women for healthier futures.

She called on stakeholders and media to raise awareness about these issues.

Dr. Prince Quarshie is the Deputy Director of Public Health at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health. He explained that the meeting aimed to raise awareness about immunization and child health services.

It also aimed to strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders like government agencies and health professionals.

The AVW began in 2010 by WHO to promote lifesaving immunization efforts annually during the last week of April (24th-30th).

Dr. Quarshie added that CHPW started in 2004 by the Ministry of Health. It focuses on improving child survival rates through nutrition and preventive care for children under five years old.