“Send us cartoons of condom – Calabar youths who impregnate teenagers demands
“Send us cartoons of condoms – Calabar youths who impregnate teenagers demands
A gang of youths who specializes in impregnating teenage girls in Calabar has demanded cartons of condoms from the State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA).
The gang disclosed this during a visit by the Director-General (DG) of CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu to a creek in Calabar South where a good number of teenage pregnant girls reside in Calabar South.
During the visit which was in response to the high number of teenage pregnancies in Calabar South Local Government Area (LGA), the team met with some subtle opposition from the gangs that control the area.
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Dr Betta also met with the young girls who were between 11 and 17 years, and she noted that the girls were prey to satisfy the sexual needs of the young men and boys in the creeks.
She observed that unprotected sex and the sharing of sexually transmitted Diseases was free and common in the area.
Also, being faithful to one partner was not part of the equation as they preyed on any available girl, except for a few who try to create territories. “It is a different world there in the creeks”.
Speaking to the DG, the young men who sounded remorseful requested that several cartons of condoms be sent to them so they can protect themselves.
According to the men, this was because they won’t stop having sex or stick to one partner for life.
While speaking to the teenage pregnant girls in small groups in some compounds, the DG told them about the different types of sexually transmitted diseases and how to prevent them.
She also sensitized them on the prematurity of their bodies which are not prepared to carry babies yet and the complications that may arise if they don’t get the right care.
Some of the girls opened up to tell her the ills that go on there and how the men reject condoms, saying that they won’t “enjoy the sex”.
The teenage pregnant girls went further to state that they have been registered in prayer houses and TBAs to deliver. Dr Betta recommended family planning methods for teenagers to restrict the high rate of pregnancy among them.
She described teenage pregnancy as an important public health problem that called for concern as the rate of abandoned children will increase.
“Contrary to what most people think, family planning is not only meant for married, but in the real sense of it, it is for every sexually active person not ready to bear children at that particular point in time.
“Thus, teenagers who are sexually active and those not sexually active should know the implications of sexual intercourse.
Dr Betta said that there were specific family planning methods for individuals regardless of their age, following proper counselling and history taking.
While called on PHC in the area to intensify sensitization, she urged the girls to always make use of health facilities close to them to get the proper care they need for free.
“Send us cartoons of condom – Calabar youths who impregnate teenagers demands
