Nine Guyanese girls become pregnant, or deliver babies, every day of the year – the highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in the Anglophone Caribbean. The five hinterland regions – Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro-Siparuni, Rupununi and Upper Demerara – recorded the highest incidence of adolescent pregnancy. The Ministry of Public Health’s ‘Situation Analysis’ in 2018 reported that Guyana’s is among highest rates in the Caribbean region with 90 out of 1,000 15-19 years-old girls giving birth during 2010-2015 with higher rates in the hinterland.
Former President David Granger, speaking on the programme – The Public Interest – recalled that PAHO’s country profile, Adolescent and Youth Health in Guyana found that the rate of ‘adolescent fertility’ is twice the world average. Evidence suggests that the majority of adolescents who become pregnant do so between the second and fourth forms in their respective secondary schools. Teenage girls who indulge in unprotected sexual relations are most likely to become pregnant and to have unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.
Mr. Granger pointed out that adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood often result in unfavourable economic, medical, psychological and social consequences. The adolescent mother may be socially stigmatized or excluded from school thereby diminishing her education and damaging her employment and economic livelihood. Daughters born to teenagers are more likely to become teenage mothers themselves and are 13 per cent more likely than mothers who delay pregnancy until early adulthood and, possibly, to withdraw from the labour market. The unemployment rate for the teenage mothers is 32 per cent.
Evidence suggests, also, that the health of the girl and that of her baby are likely to be affected by risks of anemia, low birth-weight, premature labour and other serious issues. Adolescent pregnancy can be a costly contributor to maternal and child mortality. Complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19, globally. Pregnant adolescents also face other complications and health risks owing to their immature bodies. The child is more likely to have life-long medical and socio-economic problems – a lower level of education, a lower quality of life but a higher chance of poverty.
Granger reminded that pregnancy is not a disease and urged that adolescent mothers should not be stigmatised or scorned. Indeed, educated adults are expected to make prudent choices for their girl children and to understand that their teenagers need to be exposed to advice and information on their sexual and reproductive health and rights in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
There is much more that the government could do. For example, the Ministry of Home Affairs should more effectively enforce the law with respect to sexual intercourse with girls which can be regarded as statutory rape. The Ministry of Health could enhance its educational programmes and improve its management of adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security should continue its campaign to ensure that children are educated on ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
The Former President iterated his opinion that the government should collaborate with civil society to introduce measures to avoid adolescent pregnancy. Children getting children cannot be the best way to build respectful personal relationships, stable communities and a prosperous country in which every child could enjoy a good life. 󠄀
