Teenage pregnancy

We are working to cut the number of teenage conceptions in the county.

Why is cutting the number of teenage pregnancies important?

Teenage mothers and their children tend to be poorer, less healthy and less happy throughout their lives, compared to families who start having children later.

Teenage mothers in England are:

• 22 per cent more likely to be living in poverty at 30, and much less likely to be employed or living with a partner
• 20 per cent more likely to have no qualifications at age 30
• three times more likely to suffer post-natal depression
• three times more likely to smoke throughout their pregnancy
• at a 60 per cent higher risk of suffering infant mortality.

Children of teenage mothers are:

• 63 per cent more likely to be born into poverty
• more likely to have accidents and behavioural problems
• at a 25 per cent higher risk of low birth weight
• less likely to do well academically
• twice as likely to have a father who is long term unemployed.

Since the 1998, the number of 15-17 year olds getting pregnant in Derbyshire has fallen by 21.4 per cent - better than many of its neighbouring counties.

Latest figures show the number of 15-17 year olds getting pregnant in Derbyshire during 2008 was 485. This is a reduction of 11 per cent from the previous year when there were 547 pregnancies in the age group.

Teenage pregnancy is a complex issue and has many factors influencing it, such as health, education, poverty, aspirations and expectations. For this reason, lots of public bodies work together as the Derbyshire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership.

The main partners are Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire County NHS, Connexions Derbyshire and Tameside and Glossop NHS.

The national campaign

Launched on 30 November 2009, by the government, Sex. Worth Talking About is a new campaign that will help young people to make more informed choices about contraception, look after their sexual health and avoid unwanted pregnancies.

The campaign will demonstrate how easy, everyday and normal it is to have discussions about contraception between partners, parents and health care professionals.

Whether you are a young person, parent, carer or health professional, we want to help you get the information, advice and support you need on preventing teenage pregnancy.

For the public  there are links to websites and up-to-date local info on services for young people and families.

Professionals can find out about Teenage Pregnancy Board meetings, latest news and professional pathways booklets to help you in your job.

There are also archived e-newsletters which were sent to the partners and press releases that have been issued to the media.

Media enquiries

Please call our public relations team, contact Sean Boyle or a colleague on 01629 538467.