Zomba District has registered 950 teenage pregnancies from January to June this year, a sharp increase from 788 during the same reporting period last year.

According to Zomba District Health Office (DHO) Youth Coordinator, Miriam Goliati, the rise, which is mostly due to low uptake of youth friendly services, represents 16.2 per cent.

Goliati said in an interview on Tuesday that said most girls who are expectant are between the ages 10 and 19.

She also cited closure of schools due to COVID-19 as one of the reasons that have led to increase in teenage pregnancies.