Download The five major battles that adolescents fight

The Daily Nation DN2 ­ Wednesday
Date: 02.09.2015
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Article size: 753 cm2
ColumnCM: 167.33
AVE: 361439.99
The five major battles that adolescents fight
EARLY SEXUAL DEBUT and CONTRACEPTION USE
Although the average age of first sexual intercourse has been increasing, from 16
years in 1993 to 18 in 2008/9, according to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey,
about 12 per cent of girls and 22 per cent of boys reported to have had sex by the
age of 15. Similarly, 37 per cent of girls and 44 per cent of boys aged 15 to 19 years
have had sex. In Rasheed's case, sexual debut was at 13 years. Coincidentally,
one in three adolescent married girls have an unmet need for family planning.
As a result, approximately 18 per cent of adolescents between 15 to 19 years
have begun child­bearing. Evidence from KDHS 2008­2009 shows that among
adolescent girls who started child­bearing by age 18, 98 per cent were out of
school, indicating that early pregnancy means the end of education for almost
all girls. The UNFPA Country
all girls. The UNFPA Country
Representative Siddharth Chatterjee
says "unintended pregnancies cause
several thousands of girls — about
13,000 — to drop out of school in
Kenya". Poverty, lack of education
and limited economic opportunities
among girls may also contribute
to adolescent pregnancy rates. Mr
Chatterjee adds: "Teen pregnancy is
self­perpetuating because children
of teens often become teen parents
themselves. Everyone must respond
to the duty to help our children make
good choices and to make the most
of their own lives." In the event of
pregnancies, adolescents may not
maintain a healthy pregnancy due to
poor health education, inadequate
access to antenatal care and skilled
birth attendance among other
healthcare services, or the inability
to afford costs of pregnancy and
childbirth.
Solution:
The policy proposes age­appropriate
sex education on sexuality
and relationships by providing
scientifically accurate, realistic and
non­judgmental information, as
well as enhancing provision of "high
quality post­abortion care services
to adolescents".
HIV/AIDS and STIs
HIV prevalence has decreased
significantly among young people
aged 15 to 19 years, declining from
about 3.0 per cent in 2003 to 1.1 per
cent in 2012. Overall, adolescents
between the ages of 10 and 19 years
represent about nine per cent of
persons living with HIV and 13 per cent
of all HIV­related deaths in Kenya. The
HIV prevalence rate for adolescents
living in urban areas has higher
HIV prevalence rates (2.2 per cent)
compared to their rural counterparts
compared to their rural counterparts
(0.5 per cent). For those who report first sex before 15 years, HIV prevalence is
5.3 per cent among young women and 0.3 per cent among young men. About 53
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The Daily Nation DN2 ­ Wednesday
Date: 02.09.2015
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Article size: 753 cm2
ColumnCM: 167.33
AVE: 361439.99
per cent of female adolescents and 34 per cent of their male counterparts aged 15
to 24 years who had their first sexual encounter before the age of 15 years report
condom use during their sexual debut, compared to 70 per cent of females and
65 per cent of males aged 15 to 24 years who used condoms during their sexual
debut at 15 years and above.
Solution:
The new policy suggests the supporting of provision of accurate information on
HIV/Aids and other STIs to adolescents for risk reduction and ART adherence.
It also proposes the promotion of screening and treatment of reproductive
tract infections, including STIs. Another solution is through the global launch
of the All In Campaign in Kenya in February this year, which seeks to prevent
adolescent HIV/Aids infections as well as work with affected youth to better
manage infections.
and young adults. The use of
alcohol and drugs is used as a
strategy for most young people
to cope with problems such
as unemployment, neglect,
violence, sexual abuse and
poor academic performance.
Despite the need for services
to address substance abuse,
very few drug rehabilitation
programmes and counselling
centres are available for
adolescents in Kenya, and
these tend to be urban­based.
For adolescents, substance use
and abuse is associated with
SEXUAL ABUSE and
VIOLENCE
According to a 2012
national study by the
increased risk for early sexual
debut, multiple sexual partners
and early child­bearing.
United Nations Children's
Solution
Fund (Unicef) on
violence against children
in Kenya, adolescent
girls aged 13 to 17 were
more likely to have
experienced sexual
violence in the previous
12 months (10.7 per cent)
compared with a similar
age group of boys (4.2
per cent). Adolescents
The policy proposes the
support of provision
of medical, legal and
psychological services at all
levels, including rehabilitation
for adolescents exposed to
drug and substance abuse;
as well as support of the
who suffer sexual abuse
enforcement of relevant
legislation on drug, alcohol
and other substance abuse
among adolescents.
are more likely to be
exposed to unintended
pregnancy, unsafe
FGM and EARLY
abortions and STIs,
(FGM) is a deeply rooted
cultural practice that remains
prevalent in Kenya despite
being outlawed in 2001 by the
including HIV.
Solution
The policy proposes to
strengthen the provision
of medical, legal and
psycho­social support
for teen survivors of
sexual and gender­
based violence; and to
enhance the capacity of
MARRIAGES
Female Genital Mutilation
Children's Act and Prohibition
of FGM Act 2011, and being a
violation of rights. According
to the National Council for
Population and Development,
Kenya Population Situation
Analysis, among young girls
aged 15 to 19, FGM declined
law enforcers and health
care teams on response
to and mitigation of such
violence.
DRUG and SUBSTANCE ABUSE
According to a 2012 rapid assessment of drugs and substance use
in Kenya by the National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol
and Drug Abuse (Nacada), about 18 per cent of adolescents aged
15 to 17 reported ever using any drug or substance, including
tobacco, khat (miraa), narcotics, and inhalants. Specifically, about
two per cent of females and four per cent of males aged 10 to 14,
and about 11 per cent of 15­to­17­year­olds reported ever using
alcohol. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates
ecstasy users to number approximately nine million worldwide, the
vast majority of whom are teenagers and young adults. The use of
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The Daily Nation DN2 ­ Wednesday
Date: 02.09.2015
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Article size: 753 cm2
ColumnCM: 167.33
AVE: 361439.99
from 26 per cent in 1998 to 15 per cent in 2008, then to 11 per cent
in 2014. Girls who have undergone FGM as a rite of passage are
likely to drop out of school, experience child marriage and early
child bearing. Also, according to KDHS 2008­2009, six per cent of
females were married by age 15 and 26 per cent by age 18. Child
marriage is associated with dropping out of school, increased risk of
HIV infection, heightened risk of gender­based violence, early child­
bearing as well as high fertility rates. There is also a risk of high infant
mortality as well as maternal morbidity and mortality.
Solution
Support the education of communities on existing legislation
and policies that protect adolescents from harmful traditional
practices; as well as support sensitisation programmes that
advocate the reintegration to school of adolescents in early
marriage and FGM situations.
(A young
population) provides
opportunities for the
country's development
if the adolescents get
opportunities to attain
educational goals and
receive an all­round
preparation for responsible
adulthood. This segment of
the population, therefore,
requires close attention of
all sectors of government,
development partners and
other stakeholders.
James Macharia, Cabinet
Secretary, Health
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya