More than 8k teen pregnancies in KZN between April, December
The KwaZulu-Natal
premier has reacted with shock and concern to the latest stats on teen
pregnancy in the province
Nomusa Dube-Ncube says public health facilities recorded more than 8 000 pregnancies between April and December 2022.
"The total number of deliveries by children between the ages of 10 and 14 and between the ages 15 and 19 years in health facilities in KZN rose to about 8152. Out of this figure 627, which is 8% are children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old."
The premier has tabled the province's intervention plans in response to the resolutions adopted at the Children's Parliament.
According to Stats SA, more than 45 000 babies were born to mothers aged 17 and younger in 2021.
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Speaking in the legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday, Dube-Ncube said most of the pregnancies were recorded in the Ugu District.
"The total number of learners in public schools who fell pregnant during the period of January to December stood at 825.
"Most of these learner pregnancies came from the district of Ugu, we can also report that the Department of Social Development is working in partnership with the Department of Education to implement an early intervention programme for teenage pregnancy."
The news comes as the country marks Child Protection Week.
