| |
| There
are approximately 1700 births to teenage mothers each year. |
| Those
areas experiencing higher rates of teenage pregnancy are also those
recognised as areas of deprivation |
WHY
IT MATTERS
Far
too often, pregnancy is not a choice, it is a problem. For most teenage
girls and for the fathers of their babies, pregnancy is experienced as a
traumatic interruption to their lives - they
are suddenly forced into the stark realities and hard decisions of
adulthood.
·
Teenage parents face limited
prospects in the areas of education, training and eventual employment.
·
Health risks to teenage mothers include high blood pressure,
anaemia, depression, isolation and poor nutrition.
·
The consequences for teenage fathers range from becoming
financially responsible for their child to experiencing emotional problems
at being separated from their children if access is not permitted.
WHO
IS AT GREATEST RISK?
| Regardless
of their background all sexually active teenagers are at risk of
becoming
a parent.
|
Specific
Risk factors include the following:
| - |
low
self esteem |
| - |
poverty |
| - |
low
educational attainment, declining educational achievement or school
non-attendance/alienation |
| - |
children
who are looked after by HSS Trusts |
| - |
children
of teenage mothers |
| - |
a
history of sexual abuse |
| - |
mental
health problems |
| - |
a
history of offending behaviour |
RISK
TAKING BEHAVIOUR
| - |
Poor
neighbourhoods typically contain a high proportion of young people
who experience the linked problems of poor health, educational
underachievement, truancy school exclusions, teenage pregnancy and
drug problems. |
| - |
At
age 15, 1 in 4 girls and almost 1 in 3 boys reported having had
sexual intercourse. |
| - |
The
age of first intercourse is thought to be significant, since those
who engage in early first intercourse are thought to be at greater
risk of unprotected sex and therefore, unintended pregnancy. |
| - |
Many
young people failed to use any form of contraception at first sexual
intercourse and where contraception was used it tended to be less
effective methods such as condoms and withdrawal methods. |
| - |
Between
the ages of 14 to 16 there is an increasing level of sexual
activity among both boys and girls. This coincides
with the age at which there is increased alcohol consumption, misuse
of drugs and a steady increase in cigarette consumption. |
|
|
|
