Parental involvement is crucial for adolescent well-being and guidance through challenges, according to Dr. Sabrina Kitaka from the Society for Adolescent Health.
A leading adolescent health organisation has highlighted the critical role parents play in supporting and nurturing teenagers. Dr Sabrina Kitaka, from the Society for Adolescent Health, explains that parental involvement is paramount for guiding adolescents through the challenges of growing up and fostering their overall well-being.
She made these remarks during a press conference ahead of a crucial summit focused on the health of young people. Dr Kitaka has called on parents to pay close attention to how they guide their children through the adolescent years.
This call for action is backed by alarming statistics.A report from Uganda's Ministry of Health on adolescent health reveals that young people are facing significant challenges. These include high rates of teenage pregnancy, with 25% of 19-year-olds having had a child, early marriage with 49% married before age 18, and a high risk of contracting HIV, especially among young girls.
In response to these pressing issues, the Society for Adolescent Health is organising its 11th annual adolescent health summit. The event is designed to bring together teenagers, parents, and other key stakeholders to find solutions.
The head of the organisation in Uganda, Dr Sabrina Kitaka, states that these conferences aim to empower young people and show them that a better future is possible, helping them realise their dreams.
Dr Kitaka also issued a warning about the negative impact of parental neglect and the added complications it brings to the lives and health of adolescents.
The conference is set to begin tomorrow and will feature experts in adolescent diseases and health from various countries, including the United States, Canada, and others. Some of these experts have already hinted at the significant contributions they plan to make during the gathering.
The summit will focus on promoting the health and well-being of young people between the ages of 10 and 19. It is scheduled to run for three days, concluding this coming Saturday.
