Uganda’s economic and social burden of teenage pregnancy

The Importance of Addressing Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda

Introduction

The third National Development Plan (NDP III) in Uganda emphasizes the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy. The plan recognizes that ensuring the health, education, and skills development of adolescents is crucial for harnessing the country’s demographic dividend. This report highlights the urgent need to address teenage pregnancy in Uganda and its impact on sustainable development.

The Cost of Inaction

1. The report by the Uganda National Population Council reveals that 84 percent of children experience sexual abuse, mainly in the afternoons and evenings. This abuse increases their vulnerability to teenage pregnancy, which remains a persistent problem in Uganda.
2. According to the Health Management Information System (HMIS), teenage pregnancy has contributed to nearly two million births in Uganda between 2016 and 2020, averaging 30,000 teenage births per month.

Challenges and Consequences

• Teenage pregnancy poses a significant threat to public health and is a growing concern in Uganda.
• Many pregnant teenagers are forced to drop out of school, resulting in limited educational opportunities and negative long-term consequences.
• While there has been some softening of the policy to expel pregnant girls from schools, social stigma and unclear implementation still contribute to high dropout rates.
• Early pregnancy and childbirth can be dangerous for both the mother and child, as young girls may not be physically mature enough to give birth. Unsafe abortions are also a consequence of teenage pregnancy.

Impact on Maternal and Infant Mortality

The 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) revealed that infants born to teenage mothers had a higher neonatal mortality rate compared to those born to mothers aged 20-29 years. Teenage mothers also contribute disproportionately to the country’s maternal mortality situation, accounting for approximately 19.8 percent of infant deaths.

Economic Implications

The World Bank’s Uganda Economic Update (2021) highlights the negative economic impact of teenage pregnancy. Girls who marry or have children at a young age experience poor health, have more children over their lifetime, and are more likely to hold low-paying jobs. Teenage mothers are less likely to have professional jobs and often rely on self-employment in agriculture, further burdening the country’s economy.

The Financial Burden

A study on the cost of inaction of teenage pregnancy estimates that families of teenage mothers spent Shs689.9 billion in 2020 on expenses related to completing secondary education for their babies. This financial burden could have been avoided if teenage pregnancies were prevented. Additionally, teenage mothers and their children incur significant healthcare costs, with an estimated expenditure of Shs992,426 per episode of minor healthcare for the child.

Recommendations

It is crucial for the government to invest in adolescent girls’ education as a game-changer in harnessing demographic dividends, as outlined in the third National Development Plan. Strategic policies that address the risks and challenges faced by adolescent girls and their children will not only lead to economic gains but also reduce social burdens.

Conclusion

Addressing teenage pregnancy in Uganda is essential for achieving the SDGs and realizing the country’s demographic dividend. By prioritizing the health, education, and empowerment of adolescents, Uganda can create a sustainable future for its young population.

About the Author

Gerald Koraneza is a Research and Policy Associate at the Population and Social Development Institute.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.7: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
• Indicator for SDG 4.1: Completion rate (percentage) of primary and secondary education
• Indicator for SDG 5.6: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive healthcare
• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Employment-to-population ratio by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: monitor.co.ug

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