AFOD programme in Adjumani District responds to the health needs of the young people. Young people in West Nile region are vulnerable to all kinds of health challenges, these include; STI/HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, early or unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and psychosocial problem such as substance abuse, sexual abuse etc. Factors that predispose them to vulnerability include; economic issues such as poverty, over dependence on adults, or lack of employment opportunities. The majority of the young people are engaged in petty trade in the informal sector, this situation is worsened by lack of adequate social services.
Caption: AFOD Gender and protection staff providing psychosocial support
Inyania Beatrice, 15 years old who was studying in Kureku primary school in primary five was discovered to be pregnant during a routine school health checkup; the school administration notified AFOD field office and her parents. AFOD Staff met with the school administration and the parents of the girl during which they sensitized the parents on the available youth friendly services in health facilities where Inyania Beatrice could get services like; antenatal care, STI/HIV and hepatitis B screening. On inquiring how she got pregnant, she informed the gathering that she had gone to visit her father who was married to another woman. When she requested for scholastic materials and other requirements from her father, her father told her that he doesn’t have the money. While there, a man had started making advances and promised to buy her what she needed. Ignorant of her actions, when asked what she did, she remarked, ‘‘I yielded to the man’s advance at the cost of my future, education”.
AFOD linked her to youth friendly services in Kureku health facility, so that she could start her antenatal service. After one week, her mother was influenced to escort her for antenatal care.
The awareness campaign on sexual reproductive health made them to understand the girl’s situation and her mother became supportive.
During the psychosocial support given to her by AFOD staff,
she said, ‘education will provide me with a better future; I will go back to school after child birth’.
