Rourkela, June 25: Teenage and minor pregnancies in Odisha’s Sundargarh district have reached an alarming level, raising serious concerns among health officials and child welfare advocates. Government data reveal that over the past three years, 111 girls below the age of 15 and 3,137 adolescents aged between 15 and 19 have become pregnant, highlighting a growing public health and social challenge.
Experts warn that pregnancies at such a young age pose significant risks to both mothers and infants. In several tribal-dominated areas of the district, child marriage continues despite legal prohibitions. Many economically disadvantaged families still view daughters as a financial burden and arrange marriages before they attain the legal age of 18. As a result, many girls conceive shortly after marriage.
School dropout rates among adolescent girls are also contributing to the problem. Many girls discontinue their education after Class VIII due to distant schools, unsafe travel routes, household responsibilities, or the need to care for younger siblings. Once out of school, they become more vulnerable to early relationships, marriage and pregnancy.
Migration for work by parents has further compounded the issue. With many parents leaving for brick kilns and other labour-intensive jobs, adolescent girls are often left unsupervised, increasing the risk of romantic relationships, sexual exploitation and unintended pregnancies. School and college students are also reportedly among those affected.
Health officials point to another disturbing trend in which minor girls from poor families are allegedly lured into relationships through promises of money, mobile phones and marriage. In many cases, young men abandon the girls after they become pregnant, leading to a growing number of complaints at police stations across the district.
Medical experts stress that girls aged 15 to 19 are often not physically prepared for childbirth. According to available data, nearly 28 per cent of maternal deaths in Sundargarh involve mothers below the age of 19. Babies born to teenage mothers are also more likely to suffer from low birth weight and malnutrition.
Unsafe abortions remain another major concern. Many girls with unintended pregnancies reportedly seek abortion services from unqualified practitioners, putting their lives at serious risk.
Despite the existence of government programmes such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), which provides counselling, iron supplements and sanitary pads, awareness and implementation gaps persist. Anganwadi centres conduct monthly adolescent girl programmes, while ASHA workers are tasked with creating awareness among teenage girls. However, officials and activists say coordination among Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and health staff remains inadequate, limiting the effectiveness of these initiatives.
A lack of comprehensive sex education has also been identified as a major factor. In many cases, adolescent girls remain unaware of reproductive health issues, and there have been instances where local health workers themselves were unaware of teenage pregnancies in their areas.
Although both government agencies and voluntary organisations are implementing programmes to curb child marriage, the practice continues in several pockets of the district. Reports suggest that in some areas, including Lefripada block, child marriage cases have not always resulted in legal action, further weakening deterrence.
Government records show that in 2023-24, a total of 45 girls below the age of 15 and 1,158 girls aged 15-19 became pregnant. In 2024-25, the figures stood at 45 and 946 respectively. During 2025-26, 21 girls below 15 years and 1,033 girls aged between 15 and 19 were reported pregnant.
A senior health official stated that the district's rate of adolescent pregnancy remains higher than the state average. District Chief Medical and Public Health Officer Dr. Suresh Chandra Mohanty described teenage pregnancy in Sundargarh as a matter of serious concern and stressed that coordinated efforts from communities, families, educational institutions and government agencies are essential to address the growing problem.
