Better advice and change in attitudes credited for drop
Sexual health messages are getting through to Rotorua teens, says a teenage pregnancy expert.
Statistics released by the Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu) this week showed a drop in the number of teenage pregnancies in the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua.
Teen parent co-ordinator at Tipu Ora, Hera Merito said young women were getting more helpful advice from both official places and from peers.
"Schools are encouraging better contraception use and providing more information [about sexual health] but girls are also realising that when one of their friends gets pregnant, it is not as easy as they thought and that is helping to change perceptions," she said.
"They also know however, that if they do get pregnant, it is not the end of the world and they can still carry on with their lives."
Ms Merito said the number of teenage pregnancies tended to spike following New Year and Christmas.
"We are getting a steady flow of girls now but, at the same time, they are not all running in. After New Year's and Christmas however, teenage pregnancies tend to go up because teenagers are doing what they do during that time," she said.
"Ask us in about six months and we might have a different number."
According to the statistics, mothers aged 19 and under in the Bay of Plenty accounted for 8.9 per cent of births in the region during 2013.
This is a drop from 2006, where teen mums had more than 10 per cent of births.
Around 40 per cent of teenage births in the Bay of Plenty were to women aged 19 while women aged 18 had around 32 per cent of babies.
Rotovegas Youth Health clinical leader Dr Tania Pinfold said ready availability of reliable contraception for young people would be a contributing factor to the decline.
"In particular, the Jadelle sub-dermal rods are very effective and safe for preventing pregnancies for up to five years. These have been available since 2010, and have suited many young people. Confidential youth-friendly services definitely improve access for young people who are seeking health care.
"This being said, not all teen pregnancies are problematic. Some young women who are in their late teens have intended pregnancies, and make great parents."
Dr Pinfold said everyone influencing young people needed to support them to make healthy choices.
"Choices such as delaying sexual activity, using good contraception, and using condoms to reduce risk of sexually transmitted infections should be encouraged. Parental involvement in the lives of their young people, and messages around safer drinking and partying are also important.
"The Youth 2012 data tells us that most risky behaviour is declining in teens of school age. At any age, pregnancy should be a chosen option, not an accident."
Superu chief executive Clare Ward said New Zealand's teenage birth rate was still high for a developed country.
"The evidence shows us that teen births are associated with poor educational and social outcomes for some teen parents and their children, so it's encouraging that the percentage of teen births is decreasing."
Despite the lower number of teen pregnancies, only 60 per cent of teenagers surveyed in the Youth survey said they always used contraception to prevent pregnancy. This percentage is unchanged for the last 10 years.