Outgoing Kakamega county First Lady Priscilla Opranya has called for the involvement of men in campaigns to champion reproductive health issues.
Priscilla was speaking during a male engagement meeting at DCC's grounds in Butere subcounty on Saturday.
She said the involvement of men in reproductive health matters is critical since they are key actors in the family.
"We are involving men in this process to get their views that will help us improve reproductive health, reduce teenage pregnancies and improve maternal health," she said.
She said that men are heads and decision-makers in families yet they have been left out.
Kakamega county reproductive health officer Amelda Barasa said the initiative to involve men in reproductive health will help in reducing maternal deaths and increase the number of women attending antenatal clinics.
"We thank the outgoing first lady for the support and championing for reproductive health matters in the county," she said.
"She has supported us in various ways, especially on family planning and initiatives targeting to reduce teenage pregnancies."
Peter Misango, one of those who attended the meeting said men have a responsibility to play in reproductive health as the heads of their families.
Misango urged men to be at the forefront to champion quality reproductive health in the county.
He said that majority of the men assume that reproductive health is the responsibility of women yet they bear the brunt when things go awry.
Kakamega records an average of 12, 900 teenage pregnancies every year according to records at the county reproductive health department.
The most affected subcounties are Butere which accounts for 48.1 per cent followed by Mumias West (43.7 per cent) and Mumias East(39.5 per cent).
Others are Shinyalu(38.4 percent), Navakholo(35 per cent, and the rest are below 30 per cent.
Some of the interventions undertaken in 2020 to help contain the situation includes the introduction of a toll-free number where teenagers called and accessed information on reproductive health.
The service is however restricted to urban areas where youth can access information faster than in rural areas.
Other interventions include intensified outreach services, platforms with information on reproductive health, parental dialogues and training of parents on how to address their children on sexual matters.
Afya Alisi organisation is supporting some of the interventions.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
