EPISODE 21 - Teen Pregnancy

One in three South African girls fall pregnant before their 20th birthday. In a country with a generalised HIV epidemic as big as ours these statistics are alarming. According to the South African Medical Research Council's (MRC) latest national survey, 16% of pregnant teenagers are HIV positive.

The problem is not uniform throughout the country. There are "hotspots" where the problem is more prevalent. In Gauteng for instance the problem doubled from 2005 to 2006 despite a decade of AIDS education in schools. In some areas nurses are also reluctant to give contraception to teenagers and this, although not addressing the risk of HIV infection, does contribute to the large number of teenage unwanted pregnancies. All of these issues are tackled and discussed in this week's episode of Siyayinqoba Beat It!

Our first story is from Winterveld in Gauteng where we meet 17 year-old Thandi who recently gave birth to her baby. It came as a surprise to Thandi that she was pregnant after her mother and teachers encouraged her to go to the clinic where it was confirmed. We also meet the father who is very happy to be a dad and he explains that it "just happened". This story illustrates how with the right support and love teen pregnancy need not necessarily be a disaster. The support group however highlights the fact that these things are too easily accepted in our society and in our schools. The support group also agrees that condoms should be made more freely available in schools before teens have to learn the hard way that having a baby is no child's play and that it could negatively affect their lives.

Next we go to Kwazulu Natal to see what school kids are being taught about sex and HIV. We find out that there is a special class for girls returning after childbirth at this particular school, showing the prevalence of teen pregnancy. We hear from the students about how they think the problem can be addressed. We also learn that peer pressure often leads and contributes to the rates of teen pregnancy. Back in the studio it is agreed that often educators and adults are reluctant to talk explicitly about the dangers of HIV and the realities of teen pregnancy with their children and their students making them incapable of making informed decisions. Abstinence and the use of condoms should not be pitted against one another, because they are both solutions to the same problem. Sometimes our teachers just aren't properly equipped to teach kids about HIV and pregnancy.

The final segment comes from the Eastern Cape, where we meet a young girl, Aphelele, who is dating a teacher. Aphelele explains how they pretend they're not in a relationship when at school but spend time together after school and over weekends. Aphelele also tells us about her second boyfriend that is her own age. Aphelele's relationships are sadly high risk for all concerned because there are multiple concurrent partners (more than one partner at the same time), one relationship is intergenerational and also has elements of transactional sex.

Back in the support group the show's presenter Shalom urges all of us to speak out when we are aware of teachers dating and sleeping with their pupils because of the high risk factors involved. She also urges all of us to speak to each other, parents to children, children to adults, about sex, HIV and pregnancy.

Join us to see how this problem and others are discussed and resolved on the only show for and by people living with HIV and AIDS.

IT'S A FACT