PSI to increase contraceptive uptake among the youth

Service delivery Coordinator for Population Service International (PSI), Joseph Mdzinga said youth in Chiradzulu district are going to benefit from increased uptake of contraceptives with the aim of reducing teen age pregnancies.

Mdzinga made the remarks on Thursday at the boma when briefing District Executive Committee members on a project called “Tsogolo langa” targeting youths, adolescent and persons with disabilities.

He said teen age pregnancies were common due to low access to contraceptives.

“It’s true there are contraceptives in government and private health facilities but only few access  them due to fear of their parents and peers as well as relatives around the health facility,” said Mdzinga.

He added walking long distances to health facilities was another barrier to accessing contraceptives among the youth a development he said leads to teen age pregnancies.

Mdzinga said on top of expanding access, choice and reach of quality integrated services for all women particularly in underserved areas and amongst youth and persons with disability, the project will also empower the youth economically in their youth clubs.

In his remarks, Youth Officer for Chiradzulu district, Peter Ben described it as a good development saying it will help in reducing school drop outs.

Tsogolo langa project will be implemented in eight districts for five years but in Chiradzulu it will be in three Traditional Authorities (T/As) with allocation of two million pounds from DFID.