Low uptake of family planning leads to rise in pregnancies, abortions among youths in Machinga
The Machinga District Council has announced plans to increase the uptake of family planning (FP) methods by 60 percent by the year 2030, with a focus on targeting women and youths of childbearing age.
This follows reports indicating that in 2024, only 55.3% of women in the district accessed family planning services. The national total fertility rate currently stands at 3.7, whereas Machinga’s rate is significantly higher at 7%.
Speaking at a recent media training on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and the proposed Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) Bill—organized by the Centre for Solutions Journalism (CSJ) in Liwonde—Chrissie Chamveka, a health worker in the district, highlighted the unmet need for family planning services.
“There are various family planning methods available in the district, giving women the opportunity to choose their preferred method—such as injectables, implants, vasectomy, and oral contraceptives. We want to enhance sexual education in schools,” said Chamveka.
Between January and June this year, the district recorded 735 abortion cases—283 of which involved teenagers.
This compares to 1,122 abortion cases registered in the 2023–2024 period. Most of the abortions involved young people aged between 15 and 25.
“In 2024 alone, Machinga recorded 8,007 teenage pregnancies. This is a strong indication that sexual education needs to be intensified,” stressed Chamveka.
Published reports from 2020 also quote Kenneth Mkandawire, Youth-Friendly Health Services Coordinator for the district, attributing the rise in early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to the low uptake of family planning methods.
He noted that 14 out of every 100 cases reported at district health facilities were STIs. During January to August of the same year, 2,203 teenage pregnancies were recorded, while only 55 youths accessed family planning services in three health facilities.
Reacting to these developments, CSJ Programs Manager Penelope Kamanga commended the district for its openness in sharing information and encouraged journalists to continue reporting on such issues to help reverse the trend.
“Some pregnancies are unplanned, some girls are victims of rape, others are dropping out of school or being forced into early marriages. With increased sex education, they will be able to make informed choices,” said Kamanga.
Meanwhile, Maziko Matemba of the Health and Rights Education Program expressed concern over the statistics and called on authorities to prioritize comprehensive sexual education in the district.
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