Shropshire teenage pregnancy rates at lowest in more than a decade

The number of teenage pregnancies in Shropshire is at its lowest in more than a decade, new figures have revealed. 

The figures released by the Office for National Statistics highlight how efforts to reduce teenage pregnancy rates in the county are having an impact.  The aims and actions to achieve this were outlined in the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy launched by Shropshire Council and partners in 1999. 

The data shows that the number of conceptions per 1,000 females aged under 18 in Shropshire for 2010 was 23.9, a reduction of 29.7 per cent from the figure of 34 per 1,000 in 1998 used as a baseline at the start of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.  In the last quarter of 2010, the rate was 21.1 per 1,000. 

This is significantly below the 2010 figure for England and Wales which is 35.5 conceptions per 1,000.  This is the lowest estimated rate since 1969.  

Shropshire’s vastly improved conception rate ranks it in the best performing 25 per cent of counties in the country. 

The Shropshire rate for under 16 year olds has fallen from 6.7 per 1,000 in 2009 to 5.7 in 2010.                

Councillor Karen Burgoyne, Shropshire Council deputy Cabinet member, said:

“Since the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was launched, the figure has dropped by almost a third, which is a fantastic achievement. 

“We are working closely with children, young people including those who are most at risk, parents and partner organisations, to improve ways that young people receive appropriate, accurate information about relationships and sexual health. 

“These figures show that the range of education, prevention and support offered is making a difference.” 

Over the last few years, efforts to reach national targets to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies have resulted in an increased multi-agency commitment across the county to provide young people with the skills, confidence and information to make important choices. 

This has included Shropshire Council and Shropshire County Primary Care Trust developing resources and training programmes for schools.  The new Shropshire Respect Yourself Relationship and Sex Education Programme has been shortlisted for the Pamela Sheridan Award for innovation in Relationship and Sex Education and is offered to all schools in the county. 

Shropshire Council also delivers the Speakeasy programme and Trust Me..I’m a Parent, two programmes aimed at providing parents and carers with the skills and confidence to talk to children and young people about growing up, relationships and sexual health. 

In addition, a number of secondary schools work in partnership with Shropshire Council, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust, Shropshire Community Health Trust and other voluntary agencies to provide ‘Confidential Help and Advice for Teens’ (CHAT).  CHAT offers a programme of health and well-being information, for example, on cancer, sun safety, bullying, alcohol and drug misuse, relationships and sexual health.  Students, parents, governors and staff were involved in the consultation when setting up these services in each school. 

To find out more about these services go to shropshire.gov.uk/youth.nsf 

Parents and carers can also contact Shropshire Council’s Family Information Service on 01743 254400 for local services.