Teenage pregnancy rate is falling

The number of teenagers falling pregnant in Rochdale is continuing to fall, reaching its lowest level in just under two years, according to new figures.

Information published yesterday by the Office of National Statistics reveal 51 under 18s fell pregnant between January and March last year, compared with 54 the same time in 2007.

Helen Lewis-Parmar, sexual health lead for NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: “Preventing teenage pregnancy is a key objective of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale and our sexual health service does a fantastic job of reaching our under 18’s to educate them about safe sex and provide access to contraception, going into schools and establishing drop in clinics at Hopwood Hall College and in the community.”

Nationally teenage pregnancies fell by 138 from 10,844 to 10,706 in the same period.

The Government has pledged to halve teenage pregnancy among under-18s by 2010.

A study last year found teenage girls who watch a lot of TV shows with a high sexual content are twice as likely to become pregnant.

Experts urge parents to talk more openly with their children about sex.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “It is very encouraging to see that the numbers of under-18 conceptions fell during the first quarter of 2008 and we need to maintain this momentum.”

The figures come a week after Rochdale Online reported 97 abortions were carried out in the town last year on children under 18 — more than one in nine of the total 790 procedures.