Ignorance drives teenage pregnancies

By Maore Ithula

Teenagers lack accurate sex information and most rely on myths about sex and sexuality.

Dr Charles Wanyonyi, the superintendent of Pumwani Maternity Hospital, says there is need for sex education for teenagers at home and in school to overcome myths.

The superintendent of East Africa’s largest maternity hospital says some youths believe conception is not possible if a male partner withdraws before ejaculation.

"Conception is possible because the pre-ejaculation fluids contains sperms. It takes just a sperm for conception to take place," says Wanyonyi.

Others believe they cannot get pregnant if she is menstruating. But the gynaecologist says a woman or girl can near the end of the menstrual cycle.

Unprotected sex, he says, increases the risk contracting sexually transmitted infections.

Misguided youth

Some misguided youth think pregnancy is unlikely if they have sex while standing up, in the swimming pool, or by taking a shower or a bath soon afterwards.

But the superintendent warns teenage girls that they can get pregnant, no matter how or where they have sex. He says condoms are highly effective but only if used properly as they are prone to breakage. He says they are most effective if used with other contraceptives.

He says most contraceptives including pills are not foolproof. Rather, Wanyonyi says, the pill is effective if instructions are followed to the letter.

If one misses a skips a dose, is on antibiotics or is sick then prevention of pregnancy cannot be guaranteed.

He says it is not safe to have sex soon after taking the pill. "Depending on type, a pill takes between zero and 14 days to become effective. Follow instructions on the package to the letter," he says.

A contraceptive pill, he says, should be taken as prescribed.