The Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF), in collaboration with German Doctors, the Ministry of Health, and North Coast Medical Training College, conducted a reproductive health outreach in Msumarini and Mtwapa in Kilifi South Sub-County, targeting adolescents and parents in efforts to reduce teenage pregnancies.
The initiative is part of a broader programme to address teenage pregnancy across 12 areas in Kilifi South Sub-County, including Mtwapa, Mtomondoni, Msumarini, Kireme, Bomani, Chodari, Mavueni, Mkwajuni, Ngombeni, St Teresa, Mbuyuni, and Bungu.
Speaking to KNA, Juliana Mwaega, CHPF Project Manager, said the outreach focuses on adolescents aged 10 to 24 years, parents, and community members, with emphasis on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.
“We are here to inform young people about sexual reproductive health, provide services such as infection testing, contraception, information sharing, and treatment of minor ailments,” Mwaega said.
She added that the organisation expected over 100 adolescents and youth to attend counselling sessions, with more than 50 parents participating in positive parenting workshops.
Mwaega explained that CHPF works with Community Health Promoters and health facilities, including Msumarini Dispensary, Kizingo Health Centre, Mavueni Dispensary, and Mtwapa Dispensary, to deliver the services.
She noted that young people are grouped according to age brackets of 10 to 14 years and 15 to 19 years to ensure age-appropriate information delivery.
Constance Mpambe, a Community Health Promoter in Msumarini, said the programme has equipped her with skills to guide mothers and adolescents in her area.
“This organisation has taught me how to mentor mothers on preventing early pregnancies,” Mpambe said, adding that she serves 160 households, conducting regular visits to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
She said her role includes referring mothers to hospitals when necessary and educating children on their rights, stress management, drug abuse prevention, and early marriage avoidance.
Parents attending the outreach commended CHPF’s impact on families and school attendance. Dupin Nyande Mwangemi, a parent from Mtwapa in Shimo la Tewa Ward, said the organisation has improved communication between parents and children.
“Before, many girls were dropping out of school due to early pregnancy. Through CHPF, our children now undergo counselling and training during school holidays. The cases of early pregnancies have reduced, and we can now have open family discussions about issues like menstruation and adolescent needs,” Mwangemi said.
The programme has also supported the rehabilitation of at-risk youth in the area, Mohammed Ali Mohammed from Mtwapa said CHPF helped him reform from substance abuse and involvement in criminal activities.
“I was involved in drugs, theft gangs, and violence in schools. Through this organisation, I have fully reformed. I am now aware of issues like Gender-Based Violence, and I can speak to fellow youth,” Mohammed said.
CHPF officials said the Msumarini outreach is part of ongoing community-based interventions aimed at empowering adolescents with SRHR information, promoting positive parenting, and strengthening community health systems.
The organisation plans to continue with its activities across all 12 target sites in Kilifi South, working with the Ministry of Health, community health promoters, and students from North Coast Medical Training College to reduce teenage pregnancies in the region.
By Hassan Bahati
