Let me tell you something about teenage pregnancies in rural counties. It is worse than we think.
Thread.
Thread.
Practising medicine in rural communities is an extreme sport. Forget the structural defects. You'll come across very weird stories like this epileptic young man who was crushed by a cow. But this is not my job. GRAPHIC IMAGE 
My job is in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. This is the most active department in any county and sub county hospital in rural areas because fertility rates are high. Let me give a descriptive image of teenage pregnancies and their consequences.
Today, I went to the ANC department to do a basic analysis of attendance. This week, out of the 76 mothers who checked in ANC, 64% of them (48) are below the age of 25, of this 48, there are 23 of them below 18 years. Then 4 of are below 16 years.
Once these teenagers become mothers, they become objects of reproduction expected to churn out babies every year.
Case 1 : Only 27 years with 8 children. Began birthing at 16 years. She is still reproducing. She says she needs permission from husband for contraceptives.
Case 1 : Only 27 years with 8 children. Began birthing at 16 years. She is still reproducing. She says she needs permission from husband for contraceptives.
She has just delivered at home HERSELF without any skilled birth attendant. This time she wasn't lucky because her birthing was unhygienic and infections took her over. She can't breastfeed because the breasts are severely engorged and infected. #TeenagePregnancies
CASE 2
21 years with 2 babies. Last born is now 1 month old. She was beaten by her co-wife because their husband kept money in her house. The husband just sold a piece of shamba to buy a motorcycle. Once teenagers become mothers, they lose grip of their lives.
21 years with 2 babies. Last born is now 1 month old. She was beaten by her co-wife because their husband kept money in her house. The husband just sold a piece of shamba to buy a motorcycle. Once teenagers become mothers, they lose grip of their lives.
These cases of teenage pregnancies and teen moms facing violence are so many in the rural counties. When I see leaders in the health sector meet in pricey hotels to talk about UHC, I just weep.
