Webinar on Teenage Pregnancy in North, West and Central Africa: Progress and Challenges

Adolescent Pregnancy: A Global Public Health Problem

Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health problem that affects both developed and developing countries. Nearly 25% of adolescent women have become pregnant worldwide, with a prevalence of 18.8% in Africa and 19.3% in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Guttmacher Reports (2020), adolescents aged 15–19 years in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) experience an estimated 21 million pregnancies each year, of which approximately 50% are unintended. These pregnancies result in an estimated 12 million births, with an unmet need for modern contraceptives of 43%.

Over the past 25 years, the global adolescent birth rate has declined from 60 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 years to 44. Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced a 22% decline in the adolescent birth rate during this period, but it still has the highest rate of any region globally, at 103.

Objectives

1. Discussing Challenges and Assessing Progress in Reducing Teenage Pregnancies in North, West and Central Africa (NWCA)

   We will explore the prevailing challenges hindering the reduction of teenage pregnancy in the NWCA region and comprehensively assess the progress made so far.

2. Effective Strategies to Reduce Teenage Pregnancy

   This webinar will discuss effective strategies and service delivery models to reduce teenage pregnancy.

3. Exchange Insights on Meeting FP2030 Commitments

   We will engage in an open dialogue about how adolescent pregnancy aligns with the FP2030 commitments in NWCA.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
   • Indicator: Prevalence of adolescent pregnancies
   • Indicator: Unmet need for modern contraceptives

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • Indicator: Adolescent birth rate

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 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.
   • Indicator: Adolescent birth rate

Analysis

1. The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

2. Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under these SDGs that can be identified are:
– Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
– Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
– Target 10.2: 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. The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Prevalence of adolescent pregnancies: This indicator reflects progress towards ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services and family planning.
– Unmet need for modern contraceptives: This indicator measures the availability and accessibility of contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancies.
– Adolescent birth rate: This indicator assesses progress in reducing harmful practices and promoting gender equality and reduced inequalities.

4. Table:

| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————————————————————————-|—————————————————|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education | Prevalence of adolescent pregnancies |
| | | Unmet need for modern contraceptives |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation | Adolescent birth rate |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity | Adolescent birth rate |

Source: pmnch.who.int