Director of Public Health Annual Report 2011 - NHS North Somerset

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2011 In 2009, there were 123 teenage pregnancies in those under the age of 18 in North Somerset. Of these, 53% resulted in a termination of pregnancy. The number of pregnancies in those aged under 16 is small, averaging 20 a year between 2006 and 2008. Approximately two thirds of these pregnancies were terminated. In North Somerset approximately 69% of teenage parents known to Connexions (an advice service for 13-19 years olds) are not in education, training or employment 18 . What are we doing about it? Preventing teenage pregnancies not only results in better outcomes for young people and their children, it also saves money. It is estimated that every £1 spent on a teenage pregnancy strategy saves £4 in the long term. North Somerset has an action plan which sets out how teenage pregnancies will be reduced locally. The plan draws on evidence of what works, and co-ordinates actions across North Somerset Council, the local NHS and other organisations. Action to reduce teenage pregnancy is also recognised in the local Child Poverty Strategy. Specific actions to reduce teenage pregnancy in North Somerset include: ● An award winning teenage health service ‘No Worries! Teenage Health’, providing advice and contraception to young people including an outreach ‘clinic in a box’ service; ● LUSH - a targeted sex and relationship programme for vulnerable young people in areas of high teenage pregnancy which aims to raise young people’s self esteem and reduce risk taking behaviour; ● Intensive health visitor support for teenage parents in Weston-super-Mare. Reducing teenage pregnancy will only be possible if action is also taken to address the underlying factors, such as poverty, educational underachievement, low aspirations and lack of engagement in learning after the age of 16. Continued provision of good sex and relationship education in and out of educational settings is also essential. The amount and quality of sex and relationship education currently delivered in educational settings such as schools is unclear. There is also uncertainty about the impact of funding cuts to services which currently contribute to reducing teenage conceptions. Understanding the risks: Poverty Teenage pregnancy rates nationally and in North Somerset are closely linked to levels of poverty. Although levels of deprivation in North Somerset are generally low, some areas experience very high levels of deprivation. According to a national measure of deprivation, the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2010, Weston-super-Mare has areas in Central and South Ward in the 10% most deprived nationally. Some areas in South Ward are now in the 1% most deprived. We need to tackle poverty as part of our overall action plan if we are to reduce teenage pregnancy. 18 Connexions: Raising the Participation Age report July 2011 20
Director of Public Health Annual Report 2011 Anna’s Story Anna (not her real name) was 16 when she started using cocaine and cannabis. Within months she was homeless, pregnant and had begun to work as a sex worker to feed her drug habit. Anna referred herself to the Substance Advice Service and she was offered one to one specialist drug and alcohol support. Anna was scared and found it hard to trust people but eventually she began to trust the staff. Part of her care plan involved a referral to North Somerset Housing. She was also supported to access the Pregnancy Advice Service and the WISH (Weston Integrated Sexual Health) Centre. At the WISH Centre, Anna received a full sexually transmitted infection screen and was given information about a service in Bristol that works with sex workers. They also gave her information about her pregnancy options and supported her with her decision. Anna has now moved home with her parents and is attending college. 21
Page 1 and 2: Sexual Health in North Somerset Dir
Page 3 and 4: Director of Public Health Annual Re
Page 9 and 10: Chapter 1 Sexually Transmitted Infe
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 2 Human Immunodeficiency Vi
Page 19 and 20: Sexual Health in North Somerset Sex
Page 21 and 22: Sexual Health Services in North Som
Page 23 and 24: Chapter 3 Unintended Pregnancies Wh
Page 29: Director of Public Health Annual Re

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2011 - NHS North Somerset

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?