New Strategy must radically reduce teenage pregnancies says AM

A new strategy aimed at giving a renewed focus to improving sexual health services in Wales, must also radically reduce "unacceptably high teenage pregnancy rates" in parts of the country, according to Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths.

The AM was commenting as a consultation process initiated by the Welsh Assembly Government on developing a new strategy on sexual health, draws to a conclusion.

The 'Sexual Health and Wellbeing for Wales, 2009 - 2014: Draft Working Paper', aims to:

• develop a society that supports open discussion about relationships , sex, and sexuality;
• increase sexual health and relationships literacy;
• improve access to good quality sexual health services;
• reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, particularly among teenage girls;
• reduce the rates of new sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV;
• improve the health and social care for people living with HIV;
• reduce the number of new diagnoses of sexually transmitted Hepatitis B and the number of people at risk; and
• strengthen the monitoring, surveillance and research of the population's sexual health and well-being.

In order to meet these aims, the draft paper recommends that action will be required by:

• local health organisations;
• health service planners;
• local authorities;
• third sector providers; and
• Welsh Assembly Government

Lesley Griffiths believes the plan creates a unique opportunity to tackle, what she has previously described as "unacceptably high teenage pregnancy rates" in parts of Wales, including Wrexham County Borough.

The latest available official statistics show that in Wrexham, between 2004-2006, the average conception rates for under 18 year olds stood at 61.3 pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged between 15 and 17.

The Welsh average figure stood at 44.5 pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged between 15 and 17.

By comparison, in Monmouthshire, the average conception rates for under 18s in the period 2004-2006 ranged from 28.6 per thousand girls aged 15-17.

For the same period, English conception rates for under 18s ranged from 33.0 per thousand girls aged 15-17 in the South West of England to 48.8 in the North East of England.

Commenting on her call on the need for action, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

"I am encouraged that reducing teenage pregnancy is firmly on the Welsh Assembly Government's agenda. Compared to the rest of the UK and other countries in Europe, Wales has unacceptably high teenage pregnancy rates and it is clear action needs to be taken.

"I recently met with the Minister for Health, Edwina Hart, in Wrexham to discuss this issue and I know she is committed to bring about change in Wales and reduce the numbers of unintended teenage pregnancies.

"In other countries where teenage pregnancy rates are much less than we have in Wales, relevant sex education is one of main tools they have used to keep their rates in check. I want to see a complete review of the sex education element of the Welsh curriculum. I hope this review examines such as issues as teacher training and increasing the amount of time dedicated to actual teaching sex education and sexual health, in the classroom."

For more information on the sexual health and wellbeing consultation process, please visit the Welsh Assembly Government website at: www.wales.gov.uk or email: sexualhealth@wales.gsi.gov.uk or by calling the Welsh Assembly Government's Health Improvement Division on: 02920 825334