Changing the Status Quo In Adolescent Health

In the quiet corners of Maamobi General Hospital in Accra, Ghana, a 36-year-old community nurse, Theodora Abaka Acquaah, embarks on a remarkable journey that touches countless of adolescent lives and reshape her community for the better.

As a result of mentorship, Nurse Abaka Acquaah has had a profound impact on the lives of over one hundred girls living within the Maamobi community, leading them to rise to a remarkable height in the society, break barriers and defy expectations of living with disabilities and becoming a mother at a teen age. The majority have now become leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates for change and as a result, shape a brighter future for themselves and their community.

Through our interaction, the community nurse revealed that through her guidance and support, these young women have gained invaluable knowledge and skills in crucial areas of health.

THE UN’S PERSPECTIVE ON ADOLESCENT HEALTH

The United Nations has highlighted the fact that adolescents represent a significant portion of the global population, with over 1.2 billion individuals aged 10 to 19 worldwide. Their well-being, development, and empowerment are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3 which ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all and at all ages. For adolescents, targets include reducing maternal mortality, ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5, plus ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for adolescents.

Adolescence is the transitional phase of growth between childhood and adulthood. Photocredit: UNICEF

Maamobi community and teenage pregnancies

Maamobi community is situated in the heart of Accra and is popular for its busy streets, lively markets, and close-knit community atmosphere. The traditional community is home to a diverse population, comprising people from various ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. Despite facing socio-economic challenges, such as poverty and inadequate infrastructure, the residents are resilient and resourceful.

“In recent years, the Maamobi community has witnessed a concerning trend: a rising number of teenagers are finding themselves pregnant.” Theodora Abaka Acquaah said.

This alarming phenomenon is not only a health concern but also a social and economic challenge. Many of these young girls, lured by the promise of love or misled by misinformation, find themselves facing the daunting reality of early motherhood. For some, poverty serves as a cruel catalyst, pushing them into situations where they feel they have no choice but to engage in risky behavior.

Nurse Theodora, who has been working in the community for over 12 years, tells me that the adverse effects of this growing trend are outrageous.

I recognize the urgent need for education through proactive measures – Theodora.

“Teenage mothers are at higher risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy and childbirth compared to adult women. These complications may include high blood pressure, anemia, premature birth, and low birth weight. Additionally, teenage mothers may face challenges in accessing adequate prenatal care, which can further exacerbate these health risks.”

The health worker said, “with the alarming rate of teenagers getting pregnant, I recognize the urgent need for education and support in this area through proactive measures.”

Restoring hope for teenage mothers

Her approach is hands-on and community focused. Theodora tirelessly moves from one neighborhood to another, knocking on doors and engaging directly with young females. Through these personal interactions, she provides vital information about the risks associated with teenage pregnancy and emphasizes the importance of menstrual health.

Beyond education, Theodora serves as encouragement for many girls in the community. Those who have fallen victim to teenage pregnancy and dropped out of school find solace and support in her efforts. Through her intervention, many of these girls have been reintegrated into the education system and are now thriving academically.

“Salomey Osei dropped out of basic school three months after she got pregnant due to the fear of stigmatization. She remained at home, hesitant to return to the classroom. After my intervention, she was encouraged to return to school three years later. Now back in school, the 15-year-old mother of one has found her footing and shared with me that her dream of becoming a pilot has been revived.”

15-year-old Salomey returns to school after giving birth.

Theodora’s dedication extends beyond mere advice; she actively facilitates access to education and resources, empowering young females to make informed choices about their health and future. Her commitment to the well-being of the Maamobi community is evident in her tireless advocacy and unwavering support for its most vulnerable members.

Philanthropic initiatives to women empowerment

Her philanthropic endeavors have had a significant impact on the lives of numerous female adolescents as she has actively engaged in school visits.

“Through mentoring, I have guided over a hundred young girls, empowering them to become responsible parents, diligent students, and successful professionals. It is gratifying to see the tangible results of my efforts, such as one mentee receiving an award for her exceptional cake-making skills amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Training for teenage mothers who dropped out of school.

Nurse Abaka Acquaah Embarks on Other Philanthropic Endeavors

Theodora creates a safe and supportive environment where these adolescents can openly approach her for discussion to address other equally important health issues through her Non-Governmental Organization, Naa Adole foundation.

An example is how Nurse Theodora Abaka Acquaah, has contributed to supporting the survival story of an adolescent girl, Firdaus Iddris, who battled kidney-related disease. “Firdaus dropped out of school at age 14 due to her illness and the stigma surrounding her. Due to a lack of finances, her parents could not afford to cover the cost of treatment, so they opted to stay home without any proper medical care. This worsened the disease,” The Nurse said.

The young nurse revealed that “when Firdaus Idrris was introduced to me, I immediately assisted the adolescent girl with some first aid treatments and took to the public to solicit support. However, I was labeled a fraudster, a con artist, and a fake nurse who wanted to capitalize on the poor health of the young girl to amass wealth,”

Firdaus died few days after funds were raised to support her health.

She added, “I decided to cover all the costs to treat her, since she only had an aged mother with no financial support. I deliberately requested leave from work to take care of this girl at the hospital until there was an improvement in her health.”

After a few weeks of treatment, there seemed to be some improvement in the medical condition of the adolescent girl. The good news motivated the nurse to take a step further by enrolling her in a fashion school, dreaming of a brighter future. “However, the worst was yet to happen as the adolescent girl’s health deteriorated suddenly, and she passed on a few days later.” she said.

Through her tireless efforts, Theodora became an encouragement, reaching out to the most vulnerable with essential care and support. Among those touched by her kindness is Kalsa Illiasu, a girl born without legs whose life was transformed by the Nurse’s intervention.

“The birth of Kalsa brought both joy and sorrow to her mother’s heart when she discovered her daughter had no legs. Despite facing societal taboos and pressure to take drastic measures, her mother’s love prevailed, rejecting the advice to end Kalsa’s life.” the nurse said.

Kalsa was born without legs making movement unbearable.

Encouraged by the support and guidance of Nurse Theodora, Kalsa’s family embarked on a journey filled with hope and determination. With the Nurse’s assistance, artificial legs were acquired for Kalsa, enabling her to navigate life with newfound independence.

Kalsa’s artificial legs enabled her to navigate life independently.

Though the prosthetics eventually wore out, 12-year-old Kalsa’s spirit remained unbroken, excelling as a brilliant student in the Ayawaso North Model Basic School in Accra, Ghana.

Compassion and Change

The community nurse works five days a week, and in some cases, she spends all seven days at work. One might think that “my work ends as soon as I get home, but far from it. In fact, that is when my work actually begins.” Combining her marital duties and personal health projects she is embarking on, she says her family has been a strong pillar.

Her enthusiasm for health is unimaginable. As a result, many medical doctors refer adolescents who need special care and support to Theodora for personal assistance.

According to her, “Adolescent girls are considered vulnerable in their adolescent age hence it is essential to support the health and growth of these children to prevent pregnancies, health complications and stigmatization.”

Nurse Theodora has authored a book titled “Cycle of Confidence.” This book delves into the challenges, expectations, health, and growth of adolescent children. She intends to utilize the profits from book purchases to support adolescent health initiatives and to provide sanitary pads for girls who cannot afford them.

In the halls of Maamobi Community, Theodora Abaka, stands as a guardian angel.

As we walked side by side as the nurse embarked on one of her community visits, Theodora Abaka told me how deeply proud she is of her contributions and remains committed to overcoming any obstacles that may arise in her mission to save lives.

Her story is one of resilience and triumph, a testament to the power of compassion and the unwavering spirit of community. In the halls of Maamobi Community, Theodora Abaka Acquaah, stands as a guardian angel, lighting the way towards a future where every young woman can thrive, liberated from the bonds of adversity.