Mercy Aiyedun, a Public Health Educator and Nguvu Change Leader, has emphasized the importance of incorporating adolescent and youth-friendly reproductive health services within Primary Health Care facilities nationwide.
Aiyedun underscored the critical nature of this aspect of public health, emphasizing that reproductive healthcare serves as a fundamental pillar of overall health and well-being for both individuals and communities, necessitating increased focus on this essential area.
In a statement released in observance of World Population Day and shared with our correspondent, Aiyedun advocated for the provision of comprehensive reproductive healthcare, highlighting its implications not only on individual health but also on broader societal outcomes.
World Population Day, celebrated annually on July 11, 2024, underscores the theme of “Leave no one behind, count everyone.”
According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund, developing countries witness approximately 20,000 births per day to girls under the age of 18, amounting to 7.3 million yearly births.
The UN agency emphasizes the urgent need for improved reproductive and maternal health globally, noting that the prevalence of adolescent pregnancies extends beyond live births to include all pregnancies.
This scenario is mirrored in Nigeria, as highlighted by the United Nations Children’s Fund, which recently highlighted underage pregnancy as a significant crisis impacting the adolescent demographic. In November 2023, the agency pledged $1 billion over the next five years to provide comprehensive intervention and support the government in addressing this pressing issue.
Addressing the disparity in access to reproductive services, particularly among marginalized and underserved populations, Aiyedun stressed the importance of robust policies focusing on adolescent and youth health.
She expressed hope that federal and state governments will collaborate with international agencies like UNICEF to leverage support in achieving healthcare objectives.
“Adolescent pregnancy is one of the most critical issues across Nigeria, be it in urban or rural areas. Various factors such as poverty, poor parental control, peer influence, lack of comprehensive sex education and the negative influence of social media all contribute to this crisis. Hence, addressing this problem requires a holistic approach and the provision of inclusive reproductive health education and services to adolescents,” she noted.
Aiyedun explained her campaign was driven by personal experiences. adding, “As a teenager, I suffered from hygiene-related health issues due to poor sanitary conditions in our living environment, sharing just two toilets and bathrooms with over 10 families and 30 people. Though I faced recurring infections, I was forced to endure them silently because of poor financial conditions as well as my introversion.
“However, when I received adequate reproductive information and sought proper medical treatment. I realised that further delays could have led to blocked fallopian tubes or reduced fertility.
“This shocking realisation spurred me to focus on Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health and to sensitise teenagers, especially adolescent girls, on the importance of speaking out about reproductive health issues and seeking early treatment to avoid complications”.
She emphasized that a well-functioning adolescent and youth reproductive health system can educate parents, educators, and communities about youth health issues, and that sex education campaigns and outreach programs can reduce stigma, prevent teen pregnancy, and encourage young people to seek medical care.
“A proactive strategy by the government along with initiatives supported by the UN can create meaningful change. The federal government must allocate sufficient funds and enact policies focusing on AYRH. States should also ensure that local governments comply with these policies and work closely with the community to implement youth-focused initiatives. The whole situation can be improved through much more coordinated efforts,” she summarized.
