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04/12/2001
Funding boost to combat teenage pregnancy
Health Minister Bairbre de Brun has revealed a funding package designed to support measures to reduce the province’s rate of teenage pregnancies.
Speaking on Tuesday December 4, Ms de Brun said that the money – totalling around £250,000 – would help 32 community-based projects that support action on teenage pregnancies, including sexual health services in the Foyle Health and Social Services Trust, a peer education project in Ballybeen and outreach communication training at the Ulster Community Hospital Trust.
In the four years from 1995-1999, teenage pregnancies in the province rose from 1,434 to 1,795. Ms de Brun commented: “Our rates of teenage pregnancy are among the highest in Europe. We have to help teenagers and parents to understand the risks of underage, unprotected and uninformed sex.”
An independent advisory group, set up to report to the British government on the issue, has recently recommended that contraception be made available to pupils in secondary schools, in addition to compulsory sex education.
The report follows a survey for Doctor magazine that revealed a fundamental lack of understanding about contraception among UK teenagers. Among the various myths believed by teenagers is that they could not get pregnant if they had sex in the bath, on a boat, or with their clothes on.
Schools currently have to teach pupils about the biological aspect of sex, but personal, social and health education (PSHE), covering the relationship side to sex, is optional. (CL)
Speaking on Tuesday December 4, Ms de Brun said that the money – totalling around £250,000 – would help 32 community-based projects that support action on teenage pregnancies, including sexual health services in the Foyle Health and Social Services Trust, a peer education project in Ballybeen and outreach communication training at the Ulster Community Hospital Trust.
In the four years from 1995-1999, teenage pregnancies in the province rose from 1,434 to 1,795. Ms de Brun commented: “Our rates of teenage pregnancy are among the highest in Europe. We have to help teenagers and parents to understand the risks of underage, unprotected and uninformed sex.”
An independent advisory group, set up to report to the British government on the issue, has recently recommended that contraception be made available to pupils in secondary schools, in addition to compulsory sex education.
The report follows a survey for Doctor magazine that revealed a fundamental lack of understanding about contraception among UK teenagers. Among the various myths believed by teenagers is that they could not get pregnant if they had sex in the bath, on a boat, or with their clothes on.
Schools currently have to teach pupils about the biological aspect of sex, but personal, social and health education (PSHE), covering the relationship side to sex, is optional. (CL)
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