Taskforce winning pregnancy battle
Thursday, 13th September 2001.
OUTREACH work to try to tackle teenage pregnancy rates in Haverhill, which are the highest in Suffolk, has been hailed as a success.
A new website dealing with young people’s sexual health is being launched this week to reinforce the work already being done.
Susan Day, local teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said work which had been going on in Haverhill since 1998 appeared to be working.
A task force was set up to try to reduce the level of unplanned teenage pregnancies after figures showed that Haverhill, as well as Lowerstoft and part of Ipswich, had more than three times the county average of births to girls aged 13 – 17.
The latest statistics show that more young people in Haverhill are seeking help with contraception and sexual health and that their level of knowledge is greater.
The Haverhill project has been used as a model which may in future be extended to the rest of Suffolk, and has attracted national attention.
In Haverhill an outreach youth worker and a health worker go out on to the streets and ask young people to complete a simple questionnaire about their views on the services provided.
Ms Day said changes had been made to hours at Family Planning clinics and in other areas as a result of information from the questionnaires.
“We have found this particular way of working has been really beneficial for a whole lot of youngsters,” she said.
“We have had the opportunity to address issues such as confidentiality and what services are needed. It also gives us a wealth of of information we can use in planning for in future.
“We have found it has made a difference in terms of attendance at family planning clinics and GP clinics. Countrywide, teenage pregnancy is still on the increase, very slightly, but we think we are making a step in the right direction.”
Ms Day added: “No-one is encouraging or condoning teenage sex but we can’t pretend that it doesn’t happen.
“The evidence shows that giving young people timely and appropriate information about sexual health and contraception allows them to make informed decisions, and actually delays sexual activity.
“Lack of information contributes to high risk and we think the Haverhill model is an effective way as it depersonalises the process for young people.”
The new website at www.ypsh.net gives information about sexual health issues and local clinic opening times.
Ms Day stressed that anyone with concerns about pregnancy or sexual health should visit a GP or clinic as soon as possible.
A new website dealing with young people’s sexual health is being launched this week to reinforce the work already being done.
Susan Day, local teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said work which had been going on in Haverhill since 1998 appeared to be working.
A task force was set up to try to reduce the level of unplanned teenage pregnancies after figures showed that Haverhill, as well as Lowerstoft and part of Ipswich, had more than three times the county average of births to girls aged 13 – 17.
The latest statistics show that more young people in Haverhill are seeking help with contraception and sexual health and that their level of knowledge is greater.
The Haverhill project has been used as a model which may in future be extended to the rest of Suffolk, and has attracted national attention.
In Haverhill an outreach youth worker and a health worker go out on to the streets and ask young people to complete a simple questionnaire about their views on the services provided.
Ms Day said changes had been made to hours at Family Planning clinics and in other areas as a result of information from the questionnaires.
“We have found this particular way of working has been really beneficial for a whole lot of youngsters,” she said.
“We have had the opportunity to address issues such as confidentiality and what services are needed. It also gives us a wealth of of information we can use in planning for in future.
“We have found it has made a difference in terms of attendance at family planning clinics and GP clinics. Countrywide, teenage pregnancy is still on the increase, very slightly, but we think we are making a step in the right direction.”
Ms Day added: “No-one is encouraging or condoning teenage sex but we can’t pretend that it doesn’t happen.
“The evidence shows that giving young people timely and appropriate information about sexual health and contraception allows them to make informed decisions, and actually delays sexual activity.
“Lack of information contributes to high risk and we think the Haverhill model is an effective way as it depersonalises the process for young people.”
The new website at www.ypsh.net gives information about sexual health issues and local clinic opening times.
Ms Day stressed that anyone with concerns about pregnancy or sexual health should visit a GP or clinic as soon as possible.
Web Link: http://www.ypsh.net
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