Copeland Health Profile 2010 - Cumbria County Council

Teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is thought to have various effects on the health and socio-economic
position of both mother and baby. Teenage mothers tend to end up being poorer, having
lower educational attainment and worse mental health as compared to other women from
similar backgrounds (Health Development Agency 2004).
Figure 31: Trend in teenage pregnancy (below 18 years of age)
55.0
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
Teenage pregnancy rate/1,000 women (15-17 yrs)
England Cumbria Copeland
1998-00 2001-03 2004-06 2005-07 2006-08
As shown in figure 31 teenage pregnancy rates in Copeland are above county and national
levels. Currently in Copeland there are 47 conceptions for every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 17
years. 43% of these young women chose to have their pregnancy terminated. This is below
the county and national rate of 50%.
Breastfeeding
Evidence suggests that breastfeeding for at least the first six months of a baby’s life provides
significant benefits for both the mother and baby. These benefits include: reducing the risk of
developing diabetes in childhood, fewer respiratory tract infections, middle-ear infections and
gastroenteritis. Babies are also less likely to develop allergies, such as asthma and eczema
if they have bee breast fed.
Figure 32: Breast feeding initiation rates
Breast feeding initiation rates
(Source: Vital Signs DoH)
England
Cumbria
72.7% 73.1% 72.6% 72.7% 73.4%
69.7% 69.2%
65.5%
69.0%
66.9%
2009/10 Q1 2009/10 Q2 2009/10 Q3 2009/10 Q4 2010/11 Q1
Breast feeding initiation rates in Cumbria continue to be below the national average, see
figure 32. Currently in Cumbria 67% of new babies are breast fed. Once the baby has gone
home breast feeding status is recorded at 6-8 weeks of age. By this stage breast feeding
rates in Cumbria have fallen to 31% compared to 48 nationally.
Copeland Health Profile
J Clay
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