Consistent decline in births to teenagers in Ireland for over a decade
– HSE welcomes a further reduction in the number of births to teenagers in 2013 –
– Ongoing reduction in births to teenagers indicates success of sexual health education programmes –
The HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme has welcomed the birth figures released today (Friday 30th May) by the Central Statistics Office, showing a further decline in the number of births to teenagers, from 1,639 in 2012, to 1,381 in 2013.
Since the establishment of the HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme (formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Agency) in 2001, the total number of births to teenagers has decreased from 3,087 in 2001 to 1,381 in 2013, a decline of 55% over 12 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 10.4 per 1000 of women aged 15-19 in population in 2013.
Welcoming today’s figures, Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, HSE National Director of Health and Wellbeing, said: “The rate of teenage births in Ireland has halved over the last 12 years. The consistently downward trend in births among teenagers demonstrates a positive change in our society over the last decade. Our ongoing research in this area shows that young people are listening to sexual health education and health promotion messages about the importance of using contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs.’
‘Several studies in Ireland show that the majority of teenagers in Ireland are 17 or older the first time they have sex. While a minority of young people are sexually active before this age, we know that the vast majority use contraception. Over this period there has been a significant increase in the amount of information and resources available to young people, parents, teachers and school principals, through a significant partnership approach with the Department of Education.
Relationships and Sex Education has a huge part to play in the figures outlined today with research showing that those who received sex education were 1.5 times more likely to have used contraception the first time they had sex compared to those who did not receive sex education.’
The HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme also provides an education programme, www.b4udecide.ie, which includes a website for young people, parents and teachers, and an extensive education resource pack for teachers and youth workers.
Dr. O’Keeffe continued; ‘We believe that parents’ role in sexuality education needs to be strengthened and more parents supported to provide relationships and sexual education throughout their children’s lives. It’s important that parents start communicating with children at an early age about relationships and sex, delivering age-appropriate and accurate information to create an environment where children will feel comfortable in discussing the subject as they get older.
‘The HSE has developed a number of DVD’s and booklets to help parents communicate with their children about relationships and sex at different ages. These resources are available free of charge from www.healthpromotion.ie’
‘The HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme will continue to work with parents, teachers and organisations who work with young people to ensure that young people continue to receive age appropriate, accurate and trustworthy information about relationships and sexual health.’
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
1. The teenage birth rate for 2013
The teenage birth rate for 2013 is based on the estimated population for females aged 15 to 19 in 2013. Estimates are sourced from the CSO’s Vital Statistics, Third Quarter Report, 2013. Teenage birth statistics for 2013 and 2012 are sourced from CSO Vital Statistics Fourth Quarter and Yearly Summary reports 2013 and 2012. Statistics for 2001 – 2011 are sourced from CSO Vital Statistics Annual Reports 2001 to 2011.
No. of births to Teenagers (under 20)
Year
Total number
of teenage births Teenage birth rate
per 1000 females population aged 15-19*
2001 3087 20.0
2002 2948 19.4
2003 2828 19.0
2004 2493 17.1
2005 2406 16.8
2006 2335 16.4
2007 2505 17.8
2008 2402 17.4
2009 2249 16.3
2010 2043 15.3
2011 1690 12.4
2012 1639 12.2
2013 1381 10.4
* The rates were calculated per 1000 females aged 15-44 population based on CSO data
2. Relationship and Sex Education
The Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Study (2010), a nationally representative study of the general population found that 86% of young people aged 18-25 received sex education as teenagers, compared with 76% of 26-35 year olds. Of those who received sex education, approximately 90% of 18-25 year olds said that they received it in school, compared with 80% of 26-35 year olds.
The quality of sex education has improved, with 70% of young people saying that it was helpful to them in their relationships, compared to 60% of 26-35 year olds. Those who received sex education were 1.5 times more likely to have used contraception at first sex than those who did not receive sex education. Approximately 90% of young people aged between 18-25 said that they used contraception the first time they had sex. 80% of young people say that they use contraception consistently, every time they have sex.
3. Age of Consent
The Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Study 2010 (published 2012) found that the median age for first sex remained stable between 2003 and 2010 at 17 years of age for men, and increased slightly for women, from 17 years to 18 years of age.
4. Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Active Teenagers
The Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Survey 2010 (published 2012) found that 27% of 15-17 year olds reported that they have had sex and that 93% of them used a condom at last intercourse and almost 60% of them used the contraceptive pill to prevent a pregnancy.
5. Support for Teen Parents
The Teen Parents Support Programme is a support service for young mothers, young fathers and their families from pregnancy until the baby is 2 years of age. They offer support and information in all areas of a young parent’s life including health, relationships, parenting, child care, social welfare entitlements, education, training and anything else about which the mother or father is concerned. There are 11 Teen Parent Support Programmes around the country, funded by the HSE. For more information visit www.tpsp.ie or contact (01) 670 0167.
6. Relevant links and resources
The Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Report www.nuigalway.ie/hbsc/
The Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Study 2010 (ICCP-2010) http://crisispregnancy.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ICCP-2010_REPORT.pdf
Resources for Parents, Teachers and Youthworkers – The HSE Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme has developed a number of resources to assist parents, teachers and youth workers in providing age-appropriate information to children and adolescents on relationships, sexuality and growing up:
‘Busy Bodies’ – Resource for parents of 10-14 year olds
‘You can talk to me’ – Resource for parents of 11-15 year olds
‘Advice for Mam’s and Dad’s – Talking to teenagers about relationships and sex’ – Resource for parents of older adolescents
‘The Facts’ – DVD for parents teachers and youth workers. It contains information on fertility, contraception, STIs and crisis pregnancy, plus a condom demonstration.
‘B4uDecide.ie’ – education initiative developed to support 14-16 years old teenagers in making responsible decision about relationships and sexual health. It includes the website www.b4udecide.ie and education resource pack for teachers and youth workers.
All resources are available free of charge from www.healthpromotion.ie
TRUST (Talking Relationships Understanding Sexuality Teaching) Resource for Senior Cycle RSE was developed by the Sexual Health & Crisis Pregnancy Programme in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills and colleagues in the HSE. The TRUST Resource consists of a 40-minute DVD and 21 lesson plans and is circulated to teachers via SPHE Support Service training. The TRUST resource is also made available to youth workers and those working with young people through National Youth Council of Ireland and Health Promotion Department training.
Issued by:
HSE Press Office
Email : press@hse.ie
Tel : 01 635 2840
Out of Office Hours 087 2274605
