More than a quarter of the world’s population is between the ages of 10 and24, with 86% living in less developed countries. These young people are tomorrow’s parents. The reproductive and sexual health decisions they make today will affect the health and wellbeing of their communities and of their countries for decades to come.
In particular, two issues have a profound impact on young people’s sexual health and reproductive lives: HIV/AIDS and other complications. Teenage girls are more likely to die from pregnancy-related health complications than older women in their 20s. Statistics indicate that one-half of all new HIV infections worldwide occur among young people aged 15 to 24.
The situation in Uganda
At9 million, adolescents make up a quarter of the population in Uganda. Yet life is harsh for many. Poverty, HIV and AIDS, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence and low participation in secondary education make it difficult for young people to fulfill their potential.
Adolescent girls, in particular, face multiple vulnerabilities. Adolescent girls are severely and unevenly at risk of HIV infection – two thirds of all new HIV infections are contracted by adolescent girls. Many girls also drop out of school as a result of unwanted teenage pregnancy and early marriage. According to the Ministry of Health, 25 per cent of Ugandan teenagers become pregnant by the age of 19.Close to half are married before their 18th birthday and continue having babies into their mid-40s.
Complicated births often requiring emergency obstetric care are all too common among adolescent girls. But many teenage mothers do not have access to adequate reproductive healthcare and die while trying to give life. Uganda has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with 18 mothers dying every day in pregnancy or during and after childbirth. The traditional practice of child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) also persists in many communities. In2013, Uganda ranked 16th out of 25 countries with the highest rate of child marriages.
Victories by the cross is advocating for health planning where adolescents’ values and preferences are at the center of their own care. Meaningful engagement and empowerment of young persons, families, schools, communities, and providers inessential for quality improvement initiatives.
Adolescence is defined as an individual in the 10-19years age group and usually uses the term young person to denote those between10 and 24 years. In this Module we will use these definitions and also the terms early adolescence (10-14), late adolescence (15-19)and post-adolescence (20-24),because they are helpful in understanding the problems and designing appropriate interventions for young people of different ages. The period of transition from childhood to adulthood during which adolescents develop biologically and psychologically and move towards independence, although we may think of adolescents as a healthy group, many die prematurely and unnecessarily through accidents, suicide, violence and pregnancy-related complications. Some of the serious conditions of adulthood (for example, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like HIV; and tobacco use) have their roots in adolescent behavior.
Young people are not affected equally by reproductive health problems. Orphans, young girls in rural areas, young people who are physically or mentally impaired, abused or have been abused as children and those migrating to urban areas or being trafficked are more likely to have problems.
With all this being occurred in our communities, victoriesby the cross we got involved and stepped in to address all of these challenges, and respond to them by offering possibly support to them and create a better tomorrow for our children where to rejoice in Christ Jesus.
We are creating awareness about menstrual cycle and all period complications for most of these girls in Uganda are struggling for lacking guidance about menstrual cycle management and hygiene! Especially those who are not able to make it to school refugees in Uganda and other young girls in poor households included.
We are educating them and offering sanitary pads and soap for hygiene. Educating them about SGBV; Forms of SGBV prevention and management. We are targeting early adolescents most, so that we can create this awareness and give them all the information they need and support all adolescence to be healthy and safe. for many dying prematurely and unnecessarily through accidents, suicide, violence and pregnancy-related complications. Some of the serious conditions of adulthood (for example, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like HIV; and tobacco use)have their roots in adolescent behavior.
Help more young girl access menstrual awareness and all complications during puberty and although adolescence. help us reach hygiene supplies more girls who are skipping school, those who are in poor communities and house holds. many are stuck and confused, and other are attempted to commit suicide. we are saving their lives, and restoring new hope of Christ Jesus in them.
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