Fall in Pregnancies for under 18's - Surely We Must Be Doing Something Right!?

Majority of health news reports this week have published a decline in the number of teenage pregnancy over the recent years.  Whether this information is to be applauded or looked at critically, (namely because the reduction is relatively small) remains to be discussed.  However, what the statistics do reveal is that this change is a step in the right direction and should therefore encourage Government and Policy Makers that more should be done.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a 5.9% decline in rates among under-18s between 2008 and 2009, to 38.3 per 1,000 teenagers aged 15 to 17. Overall, there were 38,259 pregnancies in this age group in 2009 compared with 41,361 in 2008, a decline of 7.5%.  Among under 16s, there were 7,158 in 2009, compared with 7,586 in 2008, a 5.6% drop. Some 60% of these pregnancies led to an abortion.

It has long been recognised that the UK has some of the highest levels of teen pregnancy and STIs in Western Europe, and it cannot simply be put down to a lack of sex education - because sex education has and continues to be taught in schools.  The problem stems from a whole array of complex issues, which may include low expectations of education and employment opportunities for young people (many teenage pregnancies are from predominately low socio-economic backgrounds) and an overall misconception and ignorance about sex from the adult world.  Other reasons may include a general break down in family values, less emphasis on marriage and greater acceptance of single parents in society. 

Nonetheless, the recent decline in conception rates amongst young people may be viewed as encouraging for policy makers and health workers who have worked hard at trying to bring down pregnancy rates in young people since they hit a high level in the early 1990's.  Simon Blake, National Director of the Brook Advisory Centres which are the biggest providers of sexual health services and advice to under 25s, says the fall in the figures reflect a lot of good work over the last 10 years.

However, the figures fell significantly short of the previous Government's target to reduce pregnancy in under-18s by 50% by the year of 2010.  A goal which the new Coalition Government has now abandoned.
Victoria Sheard, deputy head of policy at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "So long as the number of teenage pregnancies remains high, there is a need for young people to be given more information to protect themselves. Young people tell us it's not always easy to get the information and support they need about sex from schools and we have to listen to them. That's why we strongly welcome plans to make sex and relationships education a statutory part of the national curriculum. But information alone is not enough. There's a range of contraception out there now, so it's essential that young people are easily able to access contraceptive services and choose the method that works best for them."

The message becomes clear, that there is more still to be done to continue to push down rates of conception for young people.  Here at the RSPH we are running a training programme on an Introduction to Sexual Health and Young People, with the primary aim to help people gain the confidence to support sexual health needs of young people.  Participants will also be taught techniques for incorporating discussion about sex and relationships into their everyday working practice.  The course is for anyone in the voluntary organisation, education or the health and social care sector, with particular responsibility for young people.
For further Information please contact Nicolette Smith or on 020 3177 1625 
We are interested to hear your thoughts about this subject.  We ask why do pregnancy rates still remain high in the UK and what more can we do to support young people to be better informed about avoiding pregnancy and STIs?