Teen pregnancy rate higher at Christmas

More young women become pregnant during the festive season than at any other time of year, according to local health officials.

The latest data shows that for every 1000 girls under 18 living in Rochdale, 48 become pregnant. This number has decreased since 1998, but it is still worse than the England average.

Cath Hayes, Sexual Health Improvement Manager for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare, said: “Teenage pregnancy rates are decreasing year on year in the borough but still a high proportion are being caught out.

“The risk of becoming pregnant increases over the festive period as partying and drinking makes young people more likely to have unprotected sex. Not only could this lead to pregnancy, it also puts them at risk of catching a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.”

Kate Kennedy, Teenage Pregnancy manager at Rochdale Borough Council said: “December and January is a always a fun time of year, with lots of parties to go to but in the midst of the party season we want young people to stay safe whilst having fun.

“Get your long term contraception sorted to avoid unplanned pregnancies and always use a condom as well to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections. There are services open over the festive period where you can get help and advice if needed; contact them as soon as possible to get help or go to the walk in centre or your GP.”

Over the holidays help will be available at the walk-in centre at Rochdale Infirmary.

Opening times over Christmas and New Year:

• Sexual health Improvement at Penn St will be open 9am - 4.30pm every day except the bank holidays for condoms, pregnancy testing, Chlamydia screening and access to emergency contraception.
• Emergency Hormonal Contraception can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure so young people should get in touch even if it is longer than the “morning after”.
• The Taylor St (Heywood) young people’s clinic will be closed on the 24th and the Langley (Middleton) young people’s clinic will be closed on the 29th.
• All other contraceptive clinics are open as usual.

For more information and advice on getting the morning after pill call 01706 517 613