As the government strives to address the growing health challenges among the young population, scientists at the Ministry of Health have raised alarm over the rising cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among adolescents.
Recent data from the ministry reveals a worrying trend, with a significant number of teenagers contracting STIs, yet many fail to seek medical attention, exacerbating the risk of long-term complications and further spread.
Health officials attribute the surge in adolescent STI infections to multiple factors, including lack of awareness, stigma, and inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Many young people either remain unaware of their condition or hesitate to seek treatment due to fear of judgment or social repercussions.
This has created a pressing need for enhanced education and targeted interventions to curb the escalating health crisis.
According to Dr Chris Ebong, a Senior Medical Officer in the Ministry, has reported that infections among teenagers have been steadily increasing since 2020.
In that year, 14% of all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were found in young people between the ages of 10 and 19.
This number has grown each year, reaching 19.2% in 2023. Besides HIV, many of these teens are being diagnosed with other STIs like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
Ebong points out that alcohol and tobacco use are major factors putting these young people at risk, yet only 20% are seeking treatment at health centres.
This is concerning because untreated infections can easily spread to others.
Dr. Samuel Opio, deputy chairperson of the Health Committee in Parliament, believes the government needs to invest in youth-friendly services since many adolescents avoid seeking care at the same places adults go.
However, Opio notes that many health centres across the country do not have these youth-specific services, even though they should.
He adds that there should be a dedicated budget to address adolescent health, as this group is contributing significantly to the country’s HIV and teenage pregnancy rates.
For instance, 36% of new HIV cases are among adolescent girls and young women, and teenage pregnancies have remained at a high 24%.
Opio is also concerned that while prevention efforts and behaviour change campaigns could help reduce these problems, they are often met with resistance, like the recent rejection of the alcohol bill in parliament.
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