Reducing Teenage Pregnancy – Gloucestershire Keeps up the Good Work

28/02/2008

Figures published today (28 Feb) reveal that Gloucestershire is continuing to successfully reduce the teenage pregnancy rate in the county and work to actively support young parents.

The figures show that there has been an overall reduction of 30% in the under-18 conception rate between 1998 and 2006. The reduction rate for England over the same period is 13.3%, and for the South West region is 16.6%. This means that Gloucestershire is well on the way to achieving the Government’s 50% reduction target from the 1998 baseline by 2010.

Dr Shona Arora, Director of Public Health said:

“Gloucestershire has a history of strong partnership working between statutory and voluntary organisations to improve sex and relationships education, increase access to ‘young people friendly’ services, and to improve the aspirations of young people.

“However, despite the progress made to date in the county, it is vital that activity to target teenage pregnancy continues so we can meet the 50% reduction target. There is no room for complacency.”

An example of existing work is the increase in the number of Extended School Nurse Drop-In programmes in the county’s secondary schools, run by the PCT and the county council’s Children and Young People’s Directorate. The Drop-in programme means young people can see the Nurse in confidence to discuss a range of issues from sexual health to bullying.

Another example is the Gloucestershire ‘Young People Friendly’ badging scheme, run by the PCT and the Youth Service, where services that can demonstrate they meet specified standards are approved as being ‘young people friendly’. Young people know they are going to get an appropriate service if they go into one of the many health drop-ins, pharmacies, GPs or Sexual Health Clinics carrying the ‘Young People Friendly’ badge.

The Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy does not just focus on reducing under-18 conceptions, but also on the provision of appropriate support for young parents. Young parents in Gloucestershire are supported at all stages and helped to build a life for themselves.

17 year-old Gloucester mum, Josie, who gave birth to her son in November 2007, felt she received a lot of support when she found out she was pregnant.

Says Josie: “I was fortunate that I had a supportive boyfriend but I knew what was out there and my midwife explained the help I could receive.

“I went to the Young Mums To Be course which prepared me for being a mum and helped me meet other people in the same situation – people who have now become friends and are a good support network.

“I didn’t plan to become pregnant. Like many people, despite a good sexual health education, I still didn’t think it would happen to me.

“I would advise any girls to consider that it could happen to them and to not panic if it does. The help is available if you do find yourself pregnant.”