THE Commission on Population (PopCom) has recorded a slight decline in teenage pregnancies in Zamboanga City in the third quarter compared to that in the first two quarters of 2020.

PopCom Regional Information Officer Cecilio Abuy said the Department of Health (DOH) regional office has recorded 570 teenage pregnancies from July to September 2020.

Abuy said 598 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the first quarter while 600 in the second quarter.

He said some of the reasons on teenage pregnancies include culture, rebellion, lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights, inadequate access to services tailored to young people, family and social pressure to marry and sexual violence.

The information officer reminded young adolescents of the negative effects on their bodies if they get pregnant at a very tender age.

“Teenagers who get pregnant are prone to sickness while the child is underweight since the reproductive system of the mother is not yet fully developed,” he said.

Abuy said they have lined up programs to prevent early pregnancy as well as to protect the health of young mothers and the children. (SunStar Zamboanga)