Under-18 conceptions fall again in Warwickshire
Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign is welcoming new figures showing a significant fall in the number of young people getting pregnant in the county, compared to the same time the previous year.
The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics shows the number of under-18 conceptions reduced from 45.3 per thousand of the female population (aged 15 to 17) in Quarter one (Q1) March 2008, to 39.0 per thousand of the female population (15 to 17) in Q1 March 2009, representing a 14 per cent reduction.
Warwickshire continues to remain below the average for England (which also fell from 41.6 per thousand* in Q1 March 2008 to 39.8 per thousand* in Q1 March 2009) and the West Midlands (which fell from 47.8 per thousand* in Q1 March 2008 to 43.8 per thousand* in Q1 March 2009).
Amy Danahay, Respect Yourself Campaign manager, said: “We are really encouraged to see quite a significant fall in the number of under-18 conceptions in the first quarter of 2009 and are hopeful that trend will continue.
“Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign and partners continue to work hard to encourage young people to delay early sex and practice safe sex when they do eventually become sexually active.
“Locally the partnership has introduced sexual health outreach workers, inspected sexual health services in parts of the county using ‘mystery shoppers’ and continually consults with young people, parents and partners in Warwickshire. “
Helen King, Deputy Director of Public Health at NHS Warwickshire, said: “It is certainly encouraging that we have seen a significant fall in the number of under-18 conceptions so far this year.
“Working with young people to encourage them to delay early sex and practice safe sex when they do become sexually active is a priority for us and something we do take very seriously.
“Projects around the county include work to provide confidential contraceptive services and advice for young people and it great to see that this work is making a difference.”
To find out more about Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign or for more information regarding relationships and sexual health, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.