Manchester teenage pregnancy rates down
28 February 2008
Office for National Statistics figures released this morning show that the number of conceptions to under-18 women in Manchester fell from 591 in 2005 to 537 in 2006, a reduction of nearly 10%.
The under-18 conception rate fell from 71.9 per 1000 in 2005 to 67.0 per 1000 in 2006, a reduction of 6.8%. The number of conceptions is now below the 1998 baseline of 540 conceptions. There is confidence that the range of teenage pregnancy prevention measures now in place will result in an ongoing reduction of the local under-18 conception rate.
Manchester Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is focusing on providing young people with both the means and the motivation to delay becoming sexually active and to delay parenthood until later in life. The Partnership is acting to improve knowledge and understanding of sex and relationships, to support young people to have the confidence and skills to make positive sexual health choices, and to improve access to sexual health and contraceptive services. The Partnership is also continuing to provide excellent support for pregnant teenagers and teenage parents.
Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member for Children and Young People, comments: "These figures show a marked reduction in teenage conception rates which demonstrate the benefits of Manchester's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. We have improved access to contraception and sexual health services for young people both through schools and through additional community services aimed at young people and have increased the amount of information about sexual health and relationships targeted at young people. Although still of serious concern, these figures show that Manchester is successfully tackling a major national problem at a local level."
Laura Roberts, Chief Executive of Manchester Primary Care Trust and Chair of the Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board, comments: "This is very welcome news and reflects the benefits of the combined efforts being made by different agencies across the city. Delaying parenthood until later in life gives both mother and child a better chance of a healthier and happier life. It is vital that we continue to build on this progress by helping young people to make well informed decisions about their future. "
Media contacts:
Juliet Appleby/Vanessa Guttridge, tel: 0161 234 3237
