Pregnancy among teens has constantly been one of the problems Iloilo is facing. Teenage pregnancy is caused by several factors like peer pressure, lack of parental support, and lack of sexual awareness, among others. In order to eradicate or at least lessen the cases of teenage pregnancy, it is necessary to provide solutions for a problem having multi-factorial causes. As BS in Public Health students, we felt the need to address teenage pregnancy, one step at a time. As part of our community project, we decided to take on the challenge of preventing teenage pregnancy in Anilao, a municipality of Iloilo which currently ranks the highest in teenage pregnancy cases. Specifically, we chose Barangay Cag-an, one of the barangays of Anilao having rampant cases of teenage pregnancy.
Strengthening Teens through Empowering Programs against Unintended Pregnancy also known as STEP UP Project is a combined effort of 11 Public Health students to help prevent teenage pregnancy in Anilao. The project is composed of several programs like lectures and workshops that address some of the causes of teenage pregnancy. The project does not only involve the teens but the parents as well. Together with us, the Local Government Unit of Anilao is present to help encourage the residents of the barangay to join and dedicate themselves in the project.
In order for us to identify the target points of the project, we conducted a focus group discussion last February 8, 2017 among teen parents and those who are currently pregnant. We gathered a number of teen mothers carrying their own child and teens who are currently pregnant. The activity done was called "Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas" wherein each participant was given a piece of paper and a pen. They were asked to divide their paper in three columns naming them 'Kahapon', 'Ngayon' and 'Bukas'. For the 'Kahapon' column, the aim was to make them recall what they were before they got pregnant. 'Ngayon', the participant must share her current experience, her struggles and the problems she encountered during pregnancy. 'Bukas', the participant is allowed to share her future plans for her self, her baby and her family. After 30 minutes of writing their stories, each of them were asked to stand in front and share what they wrote. At the same time, we listed down the common experiences and factors which we believe could help us establish what else we need for our advocacy.
It was sad to hear how their futures have changed the moment they knew about their pregnancy. Often, their sentiments involve regretting what they did. Kanugon, they kept saying. Most of them stopped going to school and proceeded to live with their boyfriends, to which they referred to as their bana even though they are not married yet.
When we think of teenagers, we think of the future they will be making and what role they are going to play in the society. We think of the long way they still have to go. But hearing the testaments of these teen mothers felt like the future they will be making is not going to be for themselves anymore but for their child as well. Their future will already revolve around their children and how they are going to feed them. Through the FGD we learned that problems within the family should be addressed as well as peer pressure and sex education.
For further efficacy of the project, we have formed a technical working team with the LGU of Anilao including the DOH, PNP, and the PPO last March 6, 2017. Each of the sectors of the team already have their assigned tasks to make the project run smoothly.
One step closer to success, we, the Teen Titans of the STEP UP Project had a meeting on April 3, 2017 with the working group composed of the PNP, Educational chapter constituted by the well-respected school teachers and ALS instructors, honorable LGU officers and other related crews regarding the plans of the schedules and activities to minimize the inflating number of pregnancy among the younger generation of incoming mothers here in our said municipality.
In order to have an effective approach to the constituents of our project, we had a mock presentation to see how our presentations are going to hit our audiences at the same time spot loop holes that we can fix and improve. The team also agreed on the incoming series of events which is made up of three phases; The preliminary phase is the introduction of the project in Barangay Cag-an wherein we are to do a meet and greet with the locales. After we acquaint ourselves with them, we are going to do our pre-test of their KAP on teenage pregnancy for the teens and regarding responsible parenthood for the parents; The second phase is the successions of lectures on many topics related to teenage pregnancy and reproductive health. These activities will be done by three clusters made up of two sitios each to save resources and conserve time on both parties; and the last part will include supplementary activities that will strengthen the lectures conducted previously. It will also involve an evaluation of what they understood from the activities held. Finally to end the project, a “Buas Damlag - Pangkabuhayan” Fair will be established to open up doors for those who are willing to continue their education and for those who are not interested in going to school anymore. The fair will also include workshops on self-defense, arts & crafts, sports and other fun activities.
We may come from different parts of the country with different morals and perspectives but still, we focus on a single goal that is to push away the unwanted pregnancy among younger generations.
Keep an eye out for more updates from The STEP-UP Project!