64% decrease in the Number of Births to Teenagers over 15 year period.

64% decrease in the Number of Births to Teenagers over 15 year period

Young people encouraged to use both condoms and hormonal contraception to protect against STIs and unplanned pregnancy

8.3 % Increase in STIs among 15-19 year olds in 2016

The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme notes the birth figures released today (31^st May 2017) by the Central Statistics Office, showing a decrease in the number of births to teenagers, from 1187 in 2015 to 1,098 in 2016.

Since the establishment of the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme in 2001, the total number of births to teenagers has decreased from 3,087 in 2001 to 1,098 in 2016, a decline of 64% over 15 years. This equates to a decrease in the teenage birth rate from 20 per 1000 of women aged 15-19 in population in Ireland in 2001 to 7.8 per 1000 of in 2016.

Commenting on today’s figures, Orla McGowan, HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme said “The Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Programme in schools and in youth centres plays a crucial role in informing teenagers about healthy relationships and the potential consequences of early sex.

The teenage birth rate has gradually declined since the introduction of the programmme. Previous research has found that those who received RSE were more likely to use contraception at first sex[1] which suggests that RSE in schools and youth centres has made a significant contribution to the decline”.

The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme is implementing the third national strategy to address unplanned pregnancy in Ireland, in partnership with other Government Departments, such as the Department of Education and Skills and community and voluntary organizations such as the National Parents Council, the National Youth Council of Ireland and Foroige. This work is supported through the Healthy Ireland Framework.

A nationally representative survey of 17 and 18 year olds has found that one third of young people reported they had previously had sexual intercourse[2]. Other studies with teenagers have found similar proportions of sexual activity[3]. Of those who were sexually active, 79% reported that they always used some form of contraception. This shows that the majority of sexually active teenagers are aware of the risk of pregnancy and use contraception to protect themselves.

While this is very welcome, condom use is much lower among the group, with only 56% reporting that they always used a condom.[4] This suggests that four in ten sexually active teenagers are not using a condom every time they have sex, which puts them at risk of contracting an STI. What is particularly worrying is that more than one in ten sexually active teenagers reported that they never used a condom when having sex’ added Ms McGowan.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) provisional records show that in 2016, there were 990 cases of teenagers (15-19) diagnosed with either Chlamydia (608 cases) Gonorrhoea (209) or Genital Herpes (173 cases) This represents a 8.3 % increase in STIs in teenagers in 2016 when compared to 2015 figures.[5]

It is advisable for sexually active young people to use both condoms and a hormonal method of contraception, to protect themselves and their partners from unplanned pregnancy and STIs.

Ms McGowan continues:  “Research shows that delaying sexual activity until young people are 17 or 18 years old can help reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy, and an STI.[6] It is important for parents to talk to their children about relationships and sex from an early age to help delay early sex and to make protected, safe, informed and consensual decisions about their sexual health.

To help parents communicate with their children about relationships and sex at different ages, the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme has developed a range of resources. These are available free of charge from www.healthpromotion.ie.

A website for teenagers and parents, with videos, quizzes, polls and information about healthy relationships can be found at www.B4uDecide.ie

The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme is implementing Ireland’s first national sexual health strategy to address positive and preventative sexual health promotion in partnership with voluntary and community organisations and Government Departments. This work is supported through the Healthy Ireland Framework.

[1] Rundle et al, 2012

[2] Growing up in Ireland, 2016

[3] Health Behaviour in School Aged Children, 2014

[4] Growing up in Ireland, 2016

[5] Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Ireland, 2016 Provisional Data. HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre. February 2017

[6] Layte et al, 2006

The Irish Health Behaviour in School Aged Children (HBSC) Study 2014. NUI Galway & Department of Health.

1. The teenage birth rate for 2016

The teenage birth rate for 2016 is based on the estimated population for females aged 15 to 19 in 2016. Teenage birth statistics for 2016, 2015 and 2014 are sourced from CSO Vital Statistics Fourth Quarter and Yearly Summary reports 2014 and 2013. Statistics for 2001 – 2012 are sourced from CSO Vital Statistics Annual Reports 2001 to 2012.

No. of births to Teenagers (under 20)

Issued by:

HSE Press Office