Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded a modest improvement in teenage motherhood and pregnancy, with the proportion of girls aged 15-19 years who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6 (2023-24) declining to 6.5% from 7.5% in NFHS-5 (2019-21). However, sharp district-level disparities persist, particularly in tribal and interior regions.The district fact sheets of NFHS-6, released recently, show that a majority of districts reported a decline in teenage pregnancy. Significant declines were recorded in Ganjam, where the figure fell from 11.4% to 2.7%; Boudh, from 13.7% to 9.1%; Mayurbhanj, from 17.2% to 14.8%; Nabarangpur, from 8.3% to 6.6%; and Koraput, from 8.4% to 7.6%. In Gajapati, however, the figure rose from 5.8% to 7.5%.The best-performing districts in NFHS-6 were largely urbanised and educationally advanced regions. Cuttack reported the lowest percentage at 0.9%, followed by Bargarh and Kendrapada at 1.7% each, Balangir and Khurda at 1.9% each, and Ganjam at 2.7%.At the other end, teenage motherhood continues to be a major concern in tribal and remote districts. Keonjhar recorded the highest proportion at 15%, followed by Mayurbhanj at 14.8%, Malkangiri 14.1%, Rayagada 12.8%, Dhenkanal 11.5% and Nabarangpur at 6.6%. The concentration of high rates in tribal and remote districts suggests continuing challenges related to early marriage, less education and limited reproductive health awareness.Among them, Keonjhar saw teenage pregnancy rise from 12.2% in NFHS-5 to 15%; Rayagada, from 9.2% to 12.8%; and Malkangiri, from 11.7% to 14.1%. Besides, Kalahandi also reported a rise from 1.9% to 5.6%; Sambalpur, from 0.9% to 5.7%; Puri, from 4% to 5.7%; and Kandhamal, from 4.2% to 5.9%.Several districts, however, registered notable declines. Apart from Ganjam, Cuttack saw the figure fall from 5.7% to 0.9%, Angul from 12.2% to 9.6%, Mayurbhanj from 17.2% to 14.8%, Nuapada from 3.9% to 3.1%, Nayagarh from 10% to 6%, and Koraput from 8.4% to 7.6%.The NFHS-6 data underline the close link between child marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Districts reporting higher rates of women married before 18 years of age also tend to have higher teenage motherhood levels, especially in the tribal pockets of southern and northern Odisha, said child rights activist Sudhir Sabat. Proper counselling for children at the secondary and higher secondary levels would help reduce teenage pregnancies, he added.The improvement in some districts coincides with rising female education, greater internet access among women and increased awareness of reproductive health. However, the persistence of double-digit teenage pregnancy rates highlights the need for focused interventions in tribal and rural areas.Former director of Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Dr Chittaranjan Das, said reducing child marriage, keeping girls in school and strengthening adolescent health services would be crucial if Odisha is to achieve further reductions in teenage pregnancy.
