Teenage pregnancy remains rampant across the country according to UBOS 2023 report

The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) is carried out every five years to gauge national performance in health such as family planning, maternal and child health, domestic violence, and sexual activity.  

The 2022 report was presented on Friday 8th September during a workshop at the Sheraton Hotel by UBOS Executive Director Chris Ndatira Mukiza. 

According to the report, teenage pregnancy levels remain at 24 per cent in rural and urban areas after a spike in 2016 (in rural areas). The statistics were taken from 20,631 households, from 15 sub-regions, that were selected for the survey.

The percentage of women aged 15-19 who are mothers or pregnant with their first child is 25 per cent in rural areas and 21 per cent in urban areas.

This is also undercut by the educational attainments of both genders. According to the report, the number of females without education is at 10 per cent compared to the four per cent of males. Additionally, only eight per cent of females go on to get higher education after secondary compared to 12 per cent among males.

Sexual violence was recorded at 16 per cent and 11 per cent in the 12 months before the survey by a current or former partner.

The maternal mortality ratio has decreased, for example from 438 per 100,000 live births (2004-2011) to 228 ( 2015-2022).