News from Welsh Labour

Teenage pregnancies in Wales: new strategy must be “a game-changer”

New proposals to improve people’s sexual health in Wales, must address “unacceptably high teenage pregnancy rates” in parts of the country, according to a Labour AM.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, was commenting following publication of the Welsh Government’s new strategy on sexual health services.

The proposed draft working document ‘Sexual Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wales 2009-2014′, aims to increase awareness of the importance and understanding of sexual health and relationships, improve access to sexual health services; reduce the number of unintended pregnancies; and reduce the number of new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections, HIV and Hepatitis B and improve the health and social care for people living with HIV.

Features of the plan include:

* the creation of a National Sexual Health Advisory Board;

* new guidance for schools on the delivery of sex and relationship education;

* campaign targeting further and higher education students to raise awareness of binge drinking and unprotected sex; and

* the development of a service specification and care pathways for people with HIV/AIDS.
However, Lesley Griffiths hopes the plan will create the opportunity to tackle, what she has described as “unacceptably high teenage pregnancy rates” in parts of Wales, such as Wrexham County Borough.

The latest 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.

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

By comparison with England in 2006, 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 the need for action, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

“I welcome the fact the Welsh Government is looking to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies in Wales. The fact is, however, in some parts of our country we have a poor record compared to the rest of the UK and other countries in Europe. The statistics are unacceptably high and its a problem that simply has to be addressed.

“I want to see radical action taken to change the position in Wales and, in particular, in those areas where there are obvious problems. When it comes to reducing the numbers of teenage pregnancies, I hope this review will be as wide-ranging and as comprehensive as possible.

“It is now widely recognised in Europe that proper and relevant sex education is one of main tools that can be used to reduce teenage pregnancy rates. I want to see a complete review and overhaul of the sex education element of Wales’ curriculum. This overhaul should examine such as issues as teacher training and increasing the amount of time dedicated to actual teaching in the classroom.

“In doing this, we have also need to look at the approach taken by countries such as The Netherlands, where teenage pregnancy rates bear no comparison to those in parts of Wales. I believe it is time to be bold in our approach and I hope this plan will prove to be a ‘game-changer’ in tackling unintended pregnancies amongst young Welsh girls.”