Teenage pregnancies at a record low for county

The teenage pregnancy rate in Kent is continuing to fall according to latest figures.

A total of 202 girls under the age of 18 became pregnant in 2014, which compares with 218 recorded over the same period a year earlier.

The data revealed on Monday by the Office for National Statistics shows teenage pregnancies in the county are at a record low.

The numbers of under 18s giving birth peaked in 2010 with 318 births across Kent.

Historically, Kent and the UK has had one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Western Europe.

In 2006, Park Wood, outside of Maidstone, was named as the area with the highest number of pregnant teens in Western Europe.

A smartphone app, called the C Card showing the nearest place to get free condoms helped reduce teenage pregnancy rates in the county.

It was introduced in Maidstone after the number of young mums in the area hit a record high of 318 in 2010.

The latest figures – for 2014 – show Thanet and Swale are among the top for teenage births, while Maidstone and Dartford were among the lowest in the country.

Nationwide there were 5,740 teenage pregnancies, a reduc- tion of 500 cases from 2013.

The research also showed a rise in births among those over the age of 45.

I n Kent 48 women gave birth in 2014, an increase of eight from the same period last year.

Kent County Council Public Health Consultant Faiza Khan said: “We commission a number of services across the county, working with providers such as the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, to support teenagers in making informed decisions about their sexual health, relationships and pregnancy.

“Young people can also seek advice in contraception clinics, youth clubs and from school nurses.

“Emergency Hormonal contraception (EHC) is available free of charge to women aged under 30 who have had unprotected sex or failed contraception and are at risk of pregnancy; a number of pharmacies across Kent currently offer EHC.

“We are pleased that the rates of teenage pregnancy are reducing across Kent but we are continuing to work closely with our partners and providers to address this issue and support young people.”