Teenagers give birth to one in every five babies

Jan 25, 2009 News

Approximately 20 percent of all babies delivered in Guyana on an annual basis are from teenage mothers between the ages of 13 and 19 years old.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, teenage pregnancy accounted for greater than 25 percent of all babies delivered.

In this regard, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said, the fact that it is 20 percent means that we have made a dent…but a dent is not good enough.”

A one-week workshop and training programme for the prevention of teenage pregnancies will commence tomorrow.

He explained that, globally, about 70,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 die in childbirth every year.

The Minister noted that one of the great factors for maternal mortality is teenage pregnancy; there are many more risks that teenagers face in carrying a pregnancy and giving birth safely.

The Health Minister promised that his ministry will intensify its efforts this year to reduce and prevent teenage pregnancy, since, besides the health risks, there are the social risks involved. Young mothers drop out of school and ultimately lead a cycle of unproductive and problem-plagued life.

“So, this week, we are going to be working with health workers and community leaders so that we could intensify our efforts for the prevention of teenage pregnancy,” Minister Ramsammy said.

It was noted that the adolescent and young adult health and wellness programme of the Ministry is making the prevention of teenage pregnancy a foundation programme, which means that there will be persons out there on a daily basis working with maternal and child health, along with hospitals and health centres and NGOs so as to prevent teenage pregnancy.

Additionally, a total of 150 health workers from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Ten will be receiving training on the diagnosis and treatment for depression and anxiety.

According to Dr. Ramsammy, depression and anxiety are present in about five percent of Guyana’s population, including young people and adults.

“A lot of times, people make the mistake to think that these illnesses only occur in adults, but this is not true. They are also present in children …significantly. Like all developing countries, there are no exceptions… Guyana has not addressed the important issue of post partum depression.”

The Ministry has now introduced a number of programmes in the primary health care level; and in order to build capacity, all health workers will be trained for diagnosing and treating anxiety and depression.

“Significantly, this would mean added cost at the primary health care level…because the diagnosis and treatment, with as much as 25,000 people on treatment, would add a huge cost to the medicine bill of the Ministry.

“More than half of the people suffering from depression go undiagnosed, and therefore untreated; and they are being labelled in some communities.”