Many unaware importance of protection to prevent pregnancy — doctor
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Youth and Sexual Reproductive Health Survey recently showed that pregnancy myths remain prevalent with many admitting to not knowing the importance of protection to prevent pregnancy.
The results of the inadequate and inaccurate knowledge among our teenagers were clearly evidenced by more than 19,000 births each year to teenage mothers between 2009 to 2011, said Dr John Teo, a member of FRHAM Medical Committee Medical Chairman, Sabah Family Planning Association.
The adolescent fertility rate was reported to be six births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years in 2013 some of whom were from unwed young girls, he said in a statement issued here yesterday.
On the other end of the spectrum are abortions, miscarriages and in extreme cases, baby dumping.
Recent global estimates published in the Lancet estimated that there were as many as 35 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age in the years 2010 to 2014, Dr John said.
It was also shown the total number of abortions may be twice the number of live births. Baby dumping statistics provided by the Royal Malaysian Police were significant at around 407 cases from 2005 to 2010, he added.
He said local medical research had shown that associated factors associated with teenage pregnancies were poverty, poor academic achievement, inadequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, lack of parental supervision and peer pressure.
“Recent United States data about teenage pregnancy rates have also shown that their rates are the lowest recorded ever and the reasons behind this decline were related to less teens having sex, more information on pregnancy prevention and access to highly effective contraception.
“FRHAM calls upon the Government of Malaysia and all stakeholders to come together to take immediate and concrete steps to protect our teenage girls and young women without the interference of politics and interest groups. “Comprehensive sexuality education must be instituted in all schools without further delay to enable our young to grow up and take up the challenges of life in a safe and healthy environment unhindered by the dangers of unintended pregnancies.
“Access to contraception and in particular highly effective contraception in cases of need must be made available by providing the necessary services in an environment that offers non bias and non judgemental attitudes by staff providing such services,” Dr John said.
He said laws must be changed and amended to protect teenage girls and young women as well as staff providing such services in areas of need.
“All health care professionals must be educated on the importance of sexual and reproductive health, respecting the needs and rights of women and girls for such services. “Comprehensive Training in sexual and reproductive health care as well as Contraceptive provision must be instituted in all colleges, universities and health facilities nationwide ensuring that these basic training reach all levels and width of students and staff continuously. A nation is judged by how it respects and protects the rights of its people.
Dr John stressed that women and girls and FRHAM appeals that all stakeholders and Society should come together to take the right step to protect and nurture all the girls and women as we march into a brave New Malaysia.