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The Daily Nation DN2 Wednesday Date: 02.09.2015 Page 3 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 Page 3 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 Page 3 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