Teen pregnancy rate tumbling

GOVERNMENT has urged health chiefs across the country to follow Oldham’s lead in reducing teenage pregnancies.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show Oldham has slashed the number of child mothers by 38.3 per cent since 1998.

In 2008, 186 under 18s fell pregnant across Oldham down from 211 the previous year, the latest available figures show.

Oldham’s Teenage Pregnancy partnership made up of representatives from the council, NHS Oldham, Pennine Acute Trust, Positive Steps Oldham and the voluntary sector, wants to reduce under 18 conceptions by 50 per cent and support teenage parents back into education and employment.

Oldham Teenage Pregnancy co-ordinator, Sharon West said: “One of our key successes with teenage pregnancy is that all agencies working with young people see it as their responsibility by providing access to sexual health information and contraception.

“We have continued to train professionals working with young people in basic sexual health information, and also helped parents on how to speak to children about sex and contraception.”

The figures also show that between 2006 and 2008 of the 599 pregnancies 44 per cent of girls opted to have an abortion. Agencies across the borough have launched campaigns aimed at encouraging safer sex, including handing out condoms during the Christmas period.

Children’s minister Dawn Primarolo chose Oldham and three other areas as leading the way in reducing the number gym-slip mums.

She added: “Over the last 10 years information, advice and support for young people about sex and contraception has significantly improved.

“Sex and relationship education is being reformed and access to free contraception is now easier than ever before. Young people and their parents tell us that these were the right things to do but we know we need to go further which is why we are announcing pilots for one to one consultations for 16 year olds and increased support for parents.”

Nationally, teenage pregnancy has fallen to its lowest rate for 20 years. In 1999, the Government pledged to halve teenage pregnancy rates among girls under 18 by 2012.

Ministers yesterday announced £20.5 million to promote the use of contraception and discourage young people from rushing to become sexually active. Health chiefs across the country will share £10 million of the fund to ensure contraception is available “in the right places at the right time.”