Initiatives by the Council have helped the area to continue to have the lowest teenage pregnancy rate in the South West region, according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics.
The figures, based on conceptions in England and Wales during 2011, put the area’s statistics at much lower than both the national and regional rates, confirming the downward trend and proving the effectiveness of the active local preventative strategy.
The data shows the conception rate in 15-17 year olds from Bath and North East Somerset to be 16.2 in every 1,000 females. This is considerably lower than both the national rate of 30.7 and the regional rate of 27.3. Furthermore, it is the lowest rate recorded since the Council’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy began in 2000 and reflects a 44% reduction from the baseline figure of 29.
The area’s 2011 conception rate in 13-15 year olds was 4.1 per 1,000 females, which is also lower than both the national rate and regional rate of 6.1 and 5.1 respectively. The full set of statistics is available on the ONS website: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-294336
Councillor Dine Romero, (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “This continued reduction is extremely encouraging and reflects the positive effect that Bath & North East Somerset Council’s initiatives have had through its Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.
“These responsible actions include ensuring that all local sexual health services are non-judgmental and young people friendly, with access to free contraception. In addition, our Enhanced Sexual Health Services provide dedicated sexual health services in venues accessible to young people.”
The Council’s Sexual Health Training Programme ensures that relevant professionals are aware of how to empower young people and parents to make positive informed choices regarding their sexual health and how to signpost to the relevant support services available.
In addition, the Personal Social Health Education Certification Programme guarantees that professionals working in schools and other educational settings are empowered to provide positive relationships and sexual health education.
Further information for young people and professionals is available at www.safebanes.co.uk or email Marcia Burgham, Teenage Pregnancy Training & Development Officer at [email protected].
