Bware residents in Uriri, Migori County have raised concerns over increased cases of teenage pregnancies.
The community said that there were no effective communication with the students hence the rising number drops.
The concerns were raised during an open dialogue between community members and community health volunteers (CHVs).
These young girls are lured into sex with their male peers who after dropping out of school engage in bodaboda business and get quick money and confuse them
Emily Midegwa
Emily Madegwa, a community health volunteer from Sigiria medical education camp, said there was lack of information and sensitization to the young girls on their sexual health.
She said the trend was also as a result of ignorance and naivety of the girls who are easily duped by their peers into unprotected sex.
“These young girls are lured into sex with their male peers who after dropping out of school engage in boda boda business and get quick money and confuse them,” she said.
With the long holiday, the villagers now fear likely surge of unwanted pregnancies during this period.
Madegwa said that many of the girls lacked self-esteem and needed sensitization programees.
She urged the girls to avoid situations that would jeopardise their education.
Community dialogue
During the half-day community health dialogue, locals also shared other medical-related challenges affecting them.
Poor infrastructure and fairly distant located health facilities were among the challenges raised.
“The Ministry of Health directive on community health begins at level one, which is at the community level”
John Roche
The initiative bringing together various professionals in the health sector who volunteers to give back to the community.
Sigira Meducamp chair John Roche said the initiative outlined that public health has been devolved to the community level.
This he said has allowed members of the community to have a say on the medical gaps they have among them.
“The Ministry of Health directive on community health begins at level one, which is at the community level,” said Roche.
“Therefore we came here to solicit the community opinions so that we become guided on the prioritised health actions,” he explained.
He further noted that this will make it easier for other well-wishers, resource mobilizers and other donors to channel medical support in areas of great need.