Experts warn that stigma and poor sex education are exposing thousands of Malaysian teens to life-threatening pregnancy complications.
PETALING JAYA: Teenage pregnancies in Malaysia are exposing young girls to life-threatening medical complications, with experts saying stigma, silence and gaps in structured sexual health education are placing thousands at risk.
Medical and counselling professionals say urgent intervention, including early antenatal care, comprehensive sex education and improved access to reproductive health services, is critical to safeguarding adolescents.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department clinical lecturer and specialist Dr Nurul Iftida Basri highlighted the serious medical risks associated with teenage pregnancy.
She added that young mothers face a higher likelihood of anaemia, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure), infections, miscarriage, preterm birth, low-birthweight babies, caesarean delivery and excessive bleeding during labour.
She also said they are also more susceptible to postpartum depression and psychosis.
“Early antenatal care is vital. Teenagers may feel shame due to their status, but coming forward early allows health professionals to diagnose and treat conditions before they become life-threatening.”
She cautioned against “unbooked” pregnancies, in which teenagers seek medical attention only during active labour.
“This significantly increases the risk of haemorrhage and other severe complications, which could have been managed with early prenatal care.”
Her advice comes amid official data underscoring the scale of the issue.
In a recent parliamentary written reply, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said 21,114 pregnancies involving unmarried teenagers were recorded at government health facilities between 2019 and 2024.
She said efforts by her ministry to address the problem include strengthening reproductive health education, expanding counselling programmes and enhancing community support.
“Health clinics in Malaysia welcome unmarried teenagers, but stigma often stops them from seeking care. Early antenatal visits are far safer than waiting until labour,” Nurul Iftida said.
She also emphasised the importance of prevention.
“Early sexual health education and access to contraception are crucial.
“Teenagers should understand how pregnancies occur and practise safe sex, avoiding unprotected intercourse and multiple partners.”
She also highlighted the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among adolescents, adding that many infections remain undiagnosed because symptoms are often absent.
“Over 1,000 teenagers as young as 13 were diagnosed with STI. If untreated, STI could cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, cervical cancer and chronic infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and C. Untreated infections could also be transmitted from mother to child, posing serious risks to newborns.
“Preventing teenage pregnancies is not just a medical issue; it is a social, cultural and economic priority.
“Education, awareness and supportive family and community structures could empower teenagers to make informed, safe choices.”
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia associate professor and registered counsellor Prof Dr Roslee Ahmad said rising teenage pregnancies and sexual misconduct reflect deeper cultural and systemic challenges.
He cited Health Ministry data showing that between 2020 and 2024, 41,842 girls aged 19 and below were recorded as pregnant at Health Ministry facilities, with 16,951 of them unmarried.
“Teenagers today are more exposed than their parents ever were, largely due to widespread internet access. But awareness does not always translate into understanding, and much of the information they consume is unfiltered or misleading.”
He attributed the trend to shifting cultural values and Western lifestyle influences since the 1990s.
“Young individuals perceive Western culture as modern and superior, and often unconsciously discard traditional Malaysian principles.”
Roslee said while sexual health is addressed in science, moral and religious studies, Malaysia lacks structured, comprehensive sex education.
“It is embedded in other subjects but not discussed openly or systematically. We need a framework rooted in Eastern and Islamic perspectives, rather than imported Western models that may not suit our context.
“Prevention must start in primary school, before harmful online content influences students,” he said, calling for specialised training for school counsellors and stronger family engagement, as many parents struggle to supervise their children due to work commitments.
“Social media such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube could promote values that conflict with Malaysian norms. Policy oversight and digital safeguards are needed to protect young users.”
He emphasised that cultural and religious grounding is essential.
“If you are Muslim, strengthen Islamic practices; if (you are) Buddhist or Hindu, return to your teachings. Religion and moral education should shape character and identity.”
He also said teenage sexual health is a systemic issue requiring coordinated action from the Education, Health and Higher Education ministries, families and media regulators.
“If we do not act now, the situation could worsen in 10 or 20 years, and the social cost would multiply.”
