30.8% decrease in teenage pregnancies

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Wandsworth ranked in top ten reductions nationwide

The latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures show Wandsworth has achieved a 30.8% decrease in under-18 conceptions since 1998. This is a remarkable achievement, which puts the borough ahead of its target to achieve a 55% reduction by 2010.

The 30.8% reduction is much better than the English (-11.8%), London (-12.7%) and Inner London (-21.1%) averages. The Wandsworth rate of change since 1998 is 5th highest in London and 8th out of 148 top-tier local authorities.

Anne Patterson, Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator said “This shows encouraging progress for Wandsworth in tackling its teenage pregnancy rates, and shows that the strong partnership work between the Primary Care Trust, the local authority and voluntary organisations has really paid off.

“Although huge progress has been made so far, there is no room for complacency. Teenage pregnancy must remain high on Wandsworth’s agenda so all the fantastic work achieved so far can be sustained”

The local strategy has concentrated on making sure young people are taught the skills to resist pressure to rush into sex before they are ready, by improving sex and relationship education. Local work has also meant an increase in sexually active teenagers getting good quality advice about contraception from services.

There has been a strong emphasis on getting information about sexual health and local services through to young people by using imaginative media campaigns. Condom packs have been given out in nightclubs where they can sometimes be most needed, young people have designed a local sexual health website, and work with art and design students at South Thames College has led to innovative messages being produced by young people for their peers.

 

 

March 8, 2007