Teen pregnancy rates in Bristol fall
24th Feb 2010
Teen pregnancy rates in Bristol fall
Teenage pregnancy rates in Bristol fell by 4.5%, according to the latest figures released by the government today.
A strong citywide team including Bristol City Council, Bristol NHS, Connexions and Brook have worked in partnership to reduce conception rates by developing 4YP sexual health services and improving provision of sex and relationships education.
Of the newer initiatives, there are now specialist health nurses working with young women who have previously conceived to develop a tailored contraception plan. Brook have staff working with young men and vulnerable young people and one of the biggest successes has been the development of Brook 4YP sexual health drop-ins in 24 secondary schools in Bristol. This has helped ensure that young people have someone they can turn to for help and advice at a venue and time that is convenient to them.
A consultant in sex and relationship education has been co-ordinating the training of teachers, to deliver better quality sex education in schools. Since 2005, 169 teachers and 20 nurses have been trained as part of the city’s personal, social and health education programme.
Support for parents has also improved after Bristol NHS undertook research on what parents attitudes were to teen sex. Mums and dads asked for a new website and leaflets giving advice on talking to their children about growing up, relationships and sex. (http://www.4ypbristol.co.uk/for-parents)
Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: “We hope this drop in conception rates is the start of a downward trend for Bristol. It is certainly a step in the right direction, but we need to make sure we don’t take the pressure off.
“This last year has seen a real growth in 4YP Bristol services, which ensure young people have access to quality support services, without judgement and without having to travel far. Training teachers across the city to deliver better quality sex and relationships education will impact on young people’s understanding and attitude to sex. All these projects have been developed because they are sustainable solutions to reduce teenage pregnancy in the long term. While none are a fix-all, we hope they will continue this downward trend in conception rates.”
Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Co-ordinator at NHS Bristol, Anne Colquhoun, said: “Reducing teenage pregnancy remains a priority. 4YP Bristol services have grown over the last year and we now have hundreds of services for young people across the city, which are free, confidential and friendly. This includes clinics, doctors surgeries, pharmacies and school drop-ins, providing young people with a range of services such as counselling, contraception, STI treatment and pregnancy tests.”
Notes to editors:
1. The provisional 2008 under-18 conception rate for Bristol was 48.7 per 1000 girls aged 15-17 – a decrease of 4.5% from the 1998 baseline.
2. Bristol Teenage Pregnancy Partnership brings together a range of organisations that work together to reduce teenage conceptions in the city.
3. As part of Bristol’s teenage pregnancy strategy, 4YP Bristol (sexual health services for young people) was created in 2007. It is the umbrella brand for sexual health services for 13-24 year olds in Bristol and is managed by NHS Bristol.
4. 4YP offers a number of services across the city including Brook drop-in clinics in 24 secondary schools and colleges, 4YP sexual health clinics across Bristol, 90% of pharmacies offer free emergency contraception and 23 doctors surgeries are 4YP branded. The c-card (free condom) scheme is now run in over 100 locations across the city, including pharmacies, youth clubs and doctors surgeries. Visit www.4ypbristol.co.uk for more information.
5. Brook helps young people to make informed, active choices about their personal and sexual relationships so they can enjoy their sexuality without harm.
Brook is the UKs leading provider of sexual health services and advice for young people under 25. The charity has 45 years of experience working with young people and currently has a network of services in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey.
Brook services provide free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and outreach and education work, reaching around 210,000 young people every year. www.brook.org.uk. Free Ask Brook helpline: 0808 802 1234.
For further media information or to arrange interviews, contact Julia Walton, or Katharine de Lisle, on 0117 922 2732.
