The number of teenage girls becoming pregnant in England has halved in 15 years – falling to its lowest level since the 1970s.
The fall is a result of better sex and relationship education and increased access to contraception, experts say.
The greatest drop in conception rates among under 18s has been seen in areas of high deprivation and those that received the most funding from the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (TPS).
Between 1998 and 2013 the conception rate dropped from approximately 47 to fewer than 25 conceptions per 1000 young women aged 15-17 years.
The study, published in The Lancet, is the first to show the long term effect of the nationwide initiative aimed at reducing the number by 50 per cent by 2010.
Teenage girls getting pregnant in England has halved in 15 years – falling to its lowest level since the 1970s
It also shows participation in education and work has improved for women who conceive under the age of 18 but still remain lower than their non-pregnant peers.
Professor Kaye Wellings, of the London School of Hygiene Tropical Medicine, said: ‘England’s under-18 conception rate has fallen to its lowest level since the 1970s.
‘What’s more, progress has been made towards halting the cycle of inequality that has long been associated with teenage pregnancy.’
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Key elements of the strategy included:
- High-quality sex and relationships education
- Youth friendly contraceptive services
- Support for young parents to take part in education, employment and training
Local implementation grants were allocated according to teenage pregnancy rates in each area.
From its peak in 1998, the under-18 conception rate showed a moderate decline until 2006, when it fell more sharply.
It was found the most deprived areas and those with the highest under-18 conception rates before the TPS was implemented, had the biggest declines.
Between 1998 and 2013, the conception rate dropped by 34 conceptions per 1000 (from 35 to 31) young women aged 15-17 in areas receiving the highest TPS funding.
This compares with just 16 per 1000 in areas with the lowest level of funding (36 to 20).
A decline in teenage pregnancy rates has been seen in other countries though the evidence suggests it has been less marked.
The graph shows how conception (pink line), maternity (blue line) and abortion rate (green line) have fallen in girls 15 to 17-year-olds between 1994 and 2013
‘Our findings suggest shifts in the educational aspirations of young women and the increasing use of highly effective contraception are both driving the trend towards fewer early conceptions,’ said Professor Wellings.
‘One provides the motivation not to get pregnant, the other the means.
‘As young people globally spend longer in education and settle with a partner later we’re now seeing a near universal trend towards fewer early pregnancies.’
The proportion of young women who conceived before age 18 who were in work, education or training nearly doubled between 1999 and 2013 from 20 per cent to 36 per cent.
This was despite the less favourable economic climate – however, the trend was not seen in other young women of the same age.
But although teenage mothers are more likely to take part in education and training than previously, they are still far less likely than their (never-pregnant) peers to participate in education, work or training.
The top graph shows the decline in teenage pregnancies in 15-17-year-olds by area of deprivation with purple the (most deprived) showing the most rapid decline. The bottom graph shows the equivalent in terms of investment with the most targeted areas showing the greatest returns
England’s teenage pregnancy rates are still high by comparison with countries in Scandinavia or the Netherlands.
The authors estimate that the conception rate dropped by 11.4 per 1000 young women for every £100 spent per head, or 8.2 fewer conceptions after taking into account deprivation and region.
The study used data from 148 local authority areas to compare changes in under-18 conceptions, abortions and birth rates in relation to TPS funding, deprivation, and region.
It looked at the five-year periods immediately before (1994-1998), and after (2009-2013) the implementation of the strategy.
They also used data from the National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).
Researchers also assessed changes in young mothers’ participation in education, work, and training over the period.
Genevieve Edwards, Director of Policy at Marie Stopes UK, said: ‘This is a remarkable achievement which proves that if you give young people good quality education, accessible contraception and raised aspirations you can transform lives.
‘This didn’t cost the earth – just a quarter of the potential welfare costs for teenage mothers – and yet it is working, reducing both teenage pregnancy rates and inequality at the same time.
‘We are still some way behind other European countries though, so it’s vital we keep this up and protect the funding and expertise we need to bring these rates down further still.’
Anyone concerned about sexual health can call Marie Stopes UK in total confidence any time day or night on 0345 300 8090.
GIVING GIRLS MORE RELIABLE CONTRACEPTION
Encouraging the use of long-acting contraception, such as the implant or injection, rather than the Pill, has also helped drive down pregnancy rates.
There are a wide range of contraceptive choices available for women – different methods suit different people, leading expert Alison Hadley told MailOnline.
Ms Hadley led the implementation of the previous Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy for England.
She said while the Pill is the most common form of contraception used by young women, there are several less well-known choices available which may suit some women better.
The contraceptive pill is behind the decrease in teenage pregnancies, experts said
The injection, implant and, contrary to popular belief, even a copper coil – or n IUD – are all types of long lasting contraception suitable for teenage girls.
They are over 99 per cent effective, making them the most reliable types contraception available.
Meanwhile the Pill is only 99 per cent effective if it is taken properly.
In the ‘real world’ the it has a failure rate of 8 per cent because women often forget to take it at the same time every day or do not realise certain medicines can stop it from working.
The key, said Ms Hadley, is to get a form of contraception woman is comfortable with.
‘Some young women are organised and methodical and want to take the Pill – whereas others who are forgetful or a typical chaotic teenager may be better off with a long-acting form of contraception,’ she explained.
Figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that over the last ten years, the proportion of women using Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives has been increasing – while the proportion using user dependent methods has been decreasing.
However, oral contraceptives (a user dependent method) are still the most common form of contraception, being the main method for 45 per cent of women.