Over 14,000 teenage girls impregnated in Bono Region – Nursing Director

The Bono Region reported 14,877 teenage pregnancies from 2021 to 2024. This information comes from Rita Adjoa Ansong, Deputy Director of Nursing Services at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health. During a stakeholders’ meeting in Sunyani, she also noted 1,188 abortion cases among girls aged 15 to 19.

Miss Ansong shared detailed statistics on pregnancies and abortions. In 2021, there were 3,999 pregnancies and 388 abortions. In 2022, the numbers were 4,058 pregnancies and 351 abortions. For 2023, there were 3,492 pregnancies and 217 abortions. In 2024, the figures showed 3,328 pregnancies and 282 abortions.

She described these statistics as concerning. Miss Ansong urged stakeholders to support Family Planning (FP) initiatives for sexually active teenage girls. She emphasized that FP helps girls make informed choices about their sexual health and education.

Miss Ansong identified several barriers to accessing FP methods. These include myths and misconceptions, lack of community support, and outdated cultural beliefs. She reported that regional FP service coverage reached 39.58 percent in 2024, up from 36.45 percent in the previous year.

The acceptor rate for FP increased by just over zero percent compared to last year. This slight improvement is due to partner collaboration and consistent supply of FP commodities. Organizations like Marie Stopes and DKT provided free commodities that helped boost acceptor rates.

She highlighted that FP empowers women and girls to make informed choices for healthier futures. Miss Ansong called on stakeholders and media to raise awareness about existing barriers.

Dr. Prince Quarshie spoke at the meeting about its objectives. He aimed to raise awareness about immunization's importance among stakeholders and the public. The forum also aimed to strengthen collaboration among government agencies and health professionals.

The African Vaccination Week (AVW) promotes immunization as a lifesaving intervention each April from the 24th to the 30th. Dr. Quarshie mentioned that Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW) focuses on nutrition and preventive care for children under five each May from the fifth to ninth.