More awareness about teenage pregnancy needed

Teenage pregnancy is a topic that needs to be spoken about, according to fourth-year University of Cape Town (UCT) medical students who held a workshop at Heideveld library.

- NABEELAH MOHEDEEN

Healthcare workers from various community health centres (CHCs) attended the workshop last Wednesday, April 24.

Timothy Fortune, a fourth-year UCT medical student, said they visited the library, various churches, the sports field, and went to people’s homes to gather information about which social-ills affected the community.

He said according to residents, neighbourhood watch members, and CHC workers, teenage pregnancy was among the top issues. He opened the floor to residents to give reasons as to why they thought this was the case.

Heideveld resident Asheekah Green, said teenagers needed support from their families, communities, schools, and mostly from their parents. "Everyone has a different home environment. They need support to speak to someone about their situation. Parents also need to be educated," she said.

Mr Fortune said the team’s aim was to provide healthcare workers with a strategy on how to address a pregnant teenager.

He said that many teen moms were not comfortable with speaking to anyone about their situation but the “Setup” strategy was helpful:

• S-Seating/Standing must be comfortable for the patient.

• EEnvironment should be quiet and private.