Qacha’s Nek, July.23 – In a sobering reflection of deep-rooted social and economic challenges, Qacha’s Nek is witnessing a disturbing rise in Early and Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) among adolescents.
Between January and June 2025, 162 of the 486 pregnant women in Qacha’s Nek were aged 13 to 19—31 more than the same period last year, according to the District Health Management Team (DHMT), marking a sharp rise in adolescent pregnancies.
These girls, most of whom should still be in school, are part of a larger reproductive health crisis. During this period, 128 adolescents delivered babies, and 32 of them experienced delivery complications including retained placenta, third and fourth degree perineal tears, postpartum hemorrhage, and obstructed labour.
Among them, 11 were delivered by HIV-positive teenagers.
Worryingly, even as sexual health education expands in schools and communities, fewer adolescents are using contraception. Only 336 adolescents accessed contraception between January and June 2025, down from 437 during the same period last year—a drop of over 100.
In an interview with the Agency, 13-year-old Ts’episo*, awaiting delivery at the waiting mothers’ home at Machabeng Government Hospital, shared her story. “I’m scared, not only of giving birth, but of how the adults here talk about my age.”
Ts’episo dropped out of school in Grade 7 after falling pregnant. Orphaned and living with her siblings, she said her 17-year-old boyfriend, a herdboy, left her after learning about the pregnancy. “We dated for five months. I wanted him to marry me now that I’m pregnant, but he wants nothing to do with me. We rely solely on my sister’s small clothing business,” she said.
She had never heard of contraception until she arrived at the health facility, where she now hopes to have a loop inserted after giving birth.
She recounted her first symptoms: vomiting, lack of appetite, and daytime sleepiness. It wasn’t until her brother urged her to visit the clinic that she discovered she was pregnant.
“I was scared and hurt. I didn’t know what to do with a child. It wasn’t easy telling my family. The most painful part was when my boyfriend denied the baby even though he was the only person I had ever slept with.”. . .
Ends/MAPM
