Adolescents account for 15 percent of all maternal deaths-Survey

Ho, April 14, GNA - There is one adolescent pregnancy to every seven pregnancies in the country, Mrs Joan Awunyo-Akaba, Chairperson, Volta Region Coalition of NGO's in health has said.

Quoting from the latest Maternal Health Survey conducted in 2007, she said 15 percent of such adolescent pregnancies resulted in death.

Mrs Awunyo-Akaba was speaking at a health forum held in Ho on Wednesday.

She said adolescent maternal deaths were often the result of abortion related complications and difficult labour.

Mrs Awunyo-Akaba said every adolescent pregnancy carries risks of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, a challenge, which must be confronted by stakeholders.

She said the problem was further compounded by the low ratio of midwives to pregnant women, thus shutting many pregnant women away from quality obstetrical services.

Mrs Awunyo-Akaba therefore advised parents and teachers to regularly educate children and adolescents on their sexuality, so that they could make informed decisions.

Mrs Gertrude Ananse-Baiden, Youth Friendly Services Project Coordinator of Pathfinder International-Ghana, advocated the establishment of special reproductive health units for adolescents at all health facilities in the country.

She said such units should be located conveniently for the youth with comfortable surroundings that would ensure privacy.

Mrs Ananse-Baiden said the heavy client load, customs and local laws as well as the location of reproductive health units and facilities in the country currently do not encourage the youth to visit health units, which limited their rights to reproductive health.

She said adolescents have the right to freely choose their sexual partners, the right to celibacy, right to refuse marriage and to say no to sex.

Mrs Ananse-Baiden said until such rights were upheld and promoted adolescents would make wrong decisions regarding their sexuality.