News / Regional
'Injivas' blamed for teenage pregnancies
30 Jul 2014 at 21:58hrs | Views
Zimbabwean men who have migrated to South Africa have been accused of fueling teenage pregnancies in Matabeleland South province posing challenges to the country's target of lowering maternal mortality rate by two thirds by 2015.
Sister-in-Charge for Gungwe Clinic in Gwanda district, Zanele Ncube says they receive high numbers of teenage pregnancies in march following the festive season when the men popularly known as "injivas" come in from South Africa and entice the young girls with little presents in exchange for sexual favours.
Bulilima District Medical Officer, Dr Nobert Singini, says though the area experiences high numbers of teen pregnancies they help the young expecting mothers to receive adequate neo natal care.
Pregnant teenagers interviewed at different clinics in the province expressed gratitude for being able to access neo natal care but expressed regret over the bad choices they made.
But hope is not lost as the young still dream of going back to school.
Recent statistics released show that the maternal mortality ratio for Zimbabwe now stands at 575 deaths per every 100 thousand live births which reflects a decrease, but still far from the target of 174 deaths per every 100 thousand live births.
Sister-in-Charge for Gungwe Clinic in Gwanda district, Zanele Ncube says they receive high numbers of teenage pregnancies in march following the festive season when the men popularly known as "injivas" come in from South Africa and entice the young girls with little presents in exchange for sexual favours.
Bulilima District Medical Officer, Dr Nobert Singini, says though the area experiences high numbers of teen pregnancies they help the young expecting mothers to receive adequate neo natal care.
Pregnant teenagers interviewed at different clinics in the province expressed gratitude for being able to access neo natal care but expressed regret over the bad choices they made.
But hope is not lost as the young still dream of going back to school.
Recent statistics released show that the maternal mortality ratio for Zimbabwe now stands at 575 deaths per every 100 thousand live births which reflects a decrease, but still far from the target of 174 deaths per every 100 thousand live births.
Source - zbc
