In Kyaka II settlement, teenage pregnancy rate is increasing during Maternal Child health and Nutrition (MCHN) clinic at Itambabiniga health Outpost and young mothers are facing severe stigma to attending health care services. This is adversely affecting their access to maternal nutrition and health care. The stigma will not only be isolated to these young mothers but also leads to malnutrition impacting both maternal and child health.
Recognizing this issue in the identified teenage pregnant mothers, the nutritionist engaged a comprehensive Nutritional support and counselling aimed at reducing stigma and improving maternal Nutrition among teenage pregnant mothers.
The session focused on counselling tailored to the needs of teenage mothers and effects of stigma. There was also collaboration with the health workers at the ANC clinic to ensure that these teenage mothers have access to regular prenatal and post Natal care. We also encouraged them to be sensitive to the needs of teenage mothers and reduce discriminatory attitudes.
Testimonials
Three pregnant mothers, two 16 year olds and a 17-year-old shared: “Before the session, we felt completely alone and ashamed being with old mothers aged 30years and above attending the same MCHN clinic. Now we shall have friends that understand us and know how take care of ourselves and the babies. We shall not hide again during the clinic days and we shall be actively participating in health educations talks during the clinic”
“We used to fear to go for Antenatal services avoiding to be asked questions as to why we got pregnant early, but now we shall be honouring appointment dates”
“We shall also sensitize other teenage mothers who are out there in the communities to come and be part of the ambassadors in reducing stigma and improving maternal nutrition”
“We request that you visit us at hour homes so that our parents and spouses can also understand our situation”
Conclusion
The Nutritional support and counselling successfully reduced stigma and we have hopes of improving maternal nutrition among teenage pregnant mothers in Kyaka 11 Refugee Settlement. Therefore, continuous identification of these mothers in the clinic and providing special counselling will be one of the key strategies to aid in the prevention of malnutrition as well as motivating mothers to seek ANC services.
By: Tumuhereze Joshua
Nutrition Officer-Kyaka II Refugee Settlement
