Kilifi south: The Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF), in collaboration with German Doctors, the Ministry of Health, and North Coast Medical Training College, has initiated a reproductive health outreach in Msumarini and Mtwapa in Kilifi South Sub-County. This initiative targets adolescents and parents as part of a strategic effort to reduce teenage pregnancies in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the outreach is a segment of a wider programme aimed at addressing teenage pregnancy across 12 areas in Kilifi South Sub-County. These areas include Mtwapa, Mtomondoni, Msumarini, Kireme, Bomani, Chodari, Mavueni, Mkwajuni, Ngombeni, St Teresa, Mbuyuni, and Bungu.
Juliana Mwaega, CHPF Project Manager, highlighted that the outreach focuses on adolescents aged 10 to 24 years, parents, and community members. The emphasis is on providing 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 stated.
Mwaega added that the organisation anticipates over 100 adolescents and youth to participate in counselling sessions, with more than 50 parents attending positive parenting workshops. CHPF collaborates with Community Health Promoters and health facilities, including Msumarini Dispensary, Kizingo Health Centre, Mavueni Dispensary, and Mtwapa Dispensary, to deliver these services.
Young people are grouped by age brackets of 10 to 14 years and 15 to 19 years to ensure the information provided is age-appropriate. Constance Mpambe, a Community Health Promoter in Msumarini, expressed that the programme has equipped her with skills to guide mothers and adolescents. "This organisation has taught me how to mentor mothers on preventing early pregnancies," Mpambe remarked, noting that she serves 160 households and conducts regular visits to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Parents attending the outreach praised CHPF's positive impact on families and school attendance. Dupin Nyande Mwangemi, a parent from Mtwapa in Shimo la Tewa Ward, observed that the organisation has enhanced 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 shared.
The programme also supports the rehabilitation of at-risk youth. Mohammed Ali Mohammed from Mtwapa recounted how 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 disclosed.
CHPF officials explained that 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 its activities across all 12 target sites in Kilifi South, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, community health promoters, and students from North Coast Medical Training College, to further reduce teenage pregnancies in the region.