Teenage Pregnancy UK has highest teenage birth rates in Europe (2 nd in world to U.S.A.) Twice as high as Germany, three as high as France and 6 times as high as The Netherlands Reducing under age conception rate was Health of the Nation target,the rate peaked in the’90’s at 46.5 per 1000 for year olds Infant mortality rate in teenagers more than 50% higher than average, plus increased risk of maternal mortality

Improvements in teenage pregnancy rates Government strategies have reduced under age conceptions by over 13% since 1998 Include-Better sex education Better services for young people around sexual health e.g. Step-In Clinics More training for health professionals

Abortion In 2000, 54.5% of conceptions to under 16’s ended in legal abortion

Sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.) Even though teen pregnancies have reduced S.T.I.s have been rising alarmingly Some reports suggest up to 10% of year old women have CHLAMYDIA which can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy H.I.V. increased by 20% from 2001 to ’02 in heterosexuals Between ’99 and 2000 there was a 27% rise in gonnorrhoea

S.T.I. Rise in S.T.I.s may be partly due to increased testing but must also be due to rise in unprotected sex This is coupled with the fact that research has shown that most young people have never heard of chlamydia School nurses role to highlight these issues to young people and make them aware of safe sex and where to go for help