Sexual health chiefs in the Highlands have welcomed the dip which comes in the wake of work since the 1990s to reduce teenage pregnancy rates and improve advice services available.
Rates of pregnancy in NHS Highland’s area fell from 59 per 1,000 females aged 13 – 20 in the peak year of 1998 to 40 per 1,000 in 2012 – which is the latest year for which figures are available.
The reduction in the 13–15 age group is even more dramatic with rates plummeting from seven per thousand in 1998 to just three per thousand in 2012.
While Highland pregnancy rates in those under 16 have been consistently lower than Scotland over the period of the report, rates have also declined across Scotland as a whole.
NHS Highland’s director of public health, Dr Margaret Somerville said: “Since the 1990s we have worked very hard, along with our partner agencies, to reduce teenage pregnancy rates by making youth-friendly sexual health services available, vastly improving information for young people, and supporting parents to talk to their children about sex and relationships.
“We are delighted at the results we are seeing. However, much remains to be done, particularly in areas of deprivation where teenage pregnancy rates are still too high.”
Bill Alexander, director of care and learning at Highland Council said: “These are extremely welcome figures, reflecting the work being done by health services and in schools, to support parents and young people.
“This reflects our focus on early intervention and preventative work with at risk groups of young people, as well as excellent universal services, supporting families across the Highland area.”
Teenage pregnancy rates, particularly in the under 16 age-group, can be volatile due to low numbers and health chiefs say it is not wise to place too much reliance on the figures for a single year.
However, while rates do fluctuate from year to year, the overall picture is of a clear, sustained and significant downward trend, they say.
Sexual health services for young people under 25 are available through a contract NHS Highland has with Brook in Church Street, Inverness.
Clinical sessions run 4pm – 7pm on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays and from noon until 3pm in Saturdays.
Young people may also visit GPs or Highland Sexual Health.