DAVAO CITY- The local government of Davao is alarmed over the rising cases of teen pregnancies.
Jeff Fuentes, of the population division of the Davao City Health Office (CHO) said there is an estimated 2 to 3% increase in teen pregnancy cases, based upon data from live birth records of the City.
This is equivalent to 5,000 teen pregnancies (mothers 19 years old and below).
He said 5,000 teen pregnancies is equivalent to 5,000 high-risk pregnancy cases as the teenagers young bodies are not yet mature enough to bear babies as compared to adults.
Fuentes said the CHO once conducted fertility awareness talks in schools but ran into stiff competition particularly from the Catholic Church.
He said the talks were refocused towards out-of-school youths.
Fuentes said the talks do not tackle the morality of pre-marital sexual behavior but centers around the clear and present dangers of teen pregnancy.
Lack of parental guidance is pointed as the main reason for the rise in teen pregnant cases, which placed Davao among top 5 cities in the Philippines among teen pregnancies.
With the passage of the reproductive health law, Fuentes said they could revitalize their fertility awareness education in schools.
Currently the CHO has 43 personnel tasked to provide awareness education among teens in the City. (PIA/RG Alama)
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