Teen pregnancy rise
HALTON had the highest rate of teen pregnancies in England and Wales in spring last year after a sudden increase.
Latest Office For National Statistics (ONS) data showed that from April to June in 2015, the borough had 48.8 conceptions per 1,000 girls under the age of 18 – nearly one in 20.
The rate had more than doubled on the previous three months from 21.7 pregnancies per 1,000.
Overall, from May to June there were 27 conceptions among under-18s in Halton, compared to 12 in the previous three months.
The quarterly figure was the highest number of teen pregnancies since December 2011, when there 28 in three months.
Halton had more under-18 conceptions than than neighbouring areas with bigger populations St Helens, Warrington and Knowsley.
The borough’s total was nearly as much as the entire Cheshire West And Chester (33) and Cheshire East (29), which each has a population of more than double the size of Halton.
The borough’s rolling rate for 12 months to June 2016 was 29.8 conceptions per 1,000 under-18 girls, which was higher than the regional average of 25.5 and the national figure for England of 21.8 but not in the top 10.
Halton has historically had high levels of teenage pregnancy but appeared to have addressed the issue with levels plummeting.
A council spokesman said: “Figures show Halton has seen a reduction in conceptions overall, when comparing quarter one and two 2015, with quarter one and two 2014. This equates to a reduction of five conceptions.
“During 2014 which is the last full year data we have, there were fewer concep- tions to females aged under 18 than has been seen during the recorded period (since 1998). The rolling average rate for quarter 2 2015 is 29.8, compared to 34.2 in quarter 2 2014.
“Since 2007, when there were 179 such conceptions, there has been a sharp fall in the number, with 72 conceptions to females under the age of 18 during 2014.
“Nationally quarterly rates fluctuate a lot and we are cautiously optimistic we will continue with the recent reduction, when the full year conceptions for 2015 are released in February 2017. “
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Tom McInerney said: “Teenage pregnancy is a complex social issue requiring long term strategic solutions involving many d services and agencies.
“There has been significant investment in the borough to improve services aimed at tackling teenage conceptions, and the council and its partners have been targeting services to young people most in need of them.
“A range of health services for young people, including sexual health, have been developed and these have been made more accessible.
“This includes outreach services available in locations where young people want them, such as community venues, and at times appropriate to them, i.e. evenings and weekends. Our over-riding aim is to ensure young people have access to good advice and support to assist them in making informed decisions about their future aspirations.
“All partners are committed to encouraging young people to avoid becoming pregnant too early, and to take on the many opportunities available to them before they take on the difficult task of parenting.”