26 September 2014 Sexual and Reproductive Health Article TEEN PREGNANCY: YOUR LIFE, YOUR FUTURE, KNOW YOUR OPTIONS Empowering young people to recognise the role they play in their own development and health care is a key element on the National Family planning Board’s (NFPB) agenda. Today in observance of World Contraception Day, the global theme is Your Life, Your Future, Know Your Options. Knowing their options empowers young people to avoid risky sexual behaviours that can potentially harm their life and future; and it boosts their capacity to make smart choices. Teen pregnancy continues to be a major challenge for global economies, the Caribbean and Jamaica. It impacts family life, community development and most importantly youth development. Numerous national surveys indicate that young adults in Jamaica are vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV issues. Yet, some vulnerable and most-at-risk groups, which include young people, have limited access to these services and information. According to recently published data by PAHO/WHO, deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading cause of death for 15-19-year-old girls in Latin America and the Caribbean. Also, the 2014 World Health Statistics report the regional adolescent birth rate at 65 per 1000 girls 15 to 19 years old – which compares unfavorably to the global indicator of 49 per 1000 girls 15-19 years old1. According to the 2008 Reproductive Health Survey, the adolescent fertility rate in Jamaica stood at 72 births per 1,000 young women (15-19). This figures increases among adolescents in the lower socio-economic status and those with less years of education. Reports show that approximately 18% of births in Jamaica occur to adolescent mothers and 12% of young women and three times as many young men (35%) reported initiating sexual activity before age 15. As at 2012, data from the Registrar General’s Department indicates that of the 39,348 live births recorded in Jamaica, 7,055 were to adolescents; 6,907 to girls 15 to 19 and 148 girls under 15 years. Among 14 year olds 119 births occurred, 328 in 15 year olds, and 733 in 16 year olds.2 Among 13 year olds, there were 24 births and 3 1 2
Integrated strategic framework for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the Caribbean – June 2014 Live Births Occurring By age of Mother and By Parish, Registrar General’s Department
births recorded among 12 year old girls. The parishes of Kingston, St. Catherine, St. James, Manchester and St. Ann account for the highest levels of adolescent pregnancy in the country. Your Life, Your Furture The right of the individual to freely and responsibly decide the number, spacing and timing of their children has been the guiding principle in sexual and reproductive health, including family planning, for decades. It is the choice to have unprotected sexual intercourse that causes young people to have unplanned pregnancies and get infected with STIs including HIV. The NFPB recognises that young people face significant challenges that drive sexual risk behaviours; these may include: • • • • • • • • • • •
Early onset of puberty Early sexual debut Limited access to accurate and appropriate sexual and reproductive health information Peer pressure Substance misuse Childhood sexual abuse Lack of parental guidance Low self-esteem Poverty Negative cultural and social norms Media (including internet) portrayals of sex and sexuality.
It is important for adolescents themselves to know and understand these risk factors so that they can make informed decisions and navigate around what challenges arise. Know Your Options Adolescents can protect themselves from unplanned pregnancies and STIs by: Avoiding risky behaviours Abstaining from sex Using a condom for every act of intercourse Limit your number of partners Have one faithful, uninfected partner. Monitoring inappropriate behaviours and activities. Increase opportunities for skills development by young persons to reduce their reliance on older persons for money & goods. Lobbying media houses to increase the content of positive adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) messages and images.
Advocating parents to avail themselves of parenting workshops that can equip them with information and skills needed to reach adolescents. Improving adolescents’ knowledge of ASRH. Highlighting the age of consent through the Policy for Access to Contraception by Minors. Educating fellow young men and boys to respect women and girls and accept equality in all gender and sexual relations. Educating young men and boys to practice safe sexual behaviours. Promoting the reduction of infection rates through the promotion and practice of safe sexual behaviours that can help bring an end to stigmas associated with STIs including HIV, and AIDS. It is important for health care providers and Jamaicans in general to understand and respect that, no matter how young they are, young people deserve nonjudgmental and respectful care and comprehensive sexuality education in order for them to make the best decisions for successful SRH outcomes. Support, services and knowledge do not encourage young people to have sex. Instead, they provide them with the options to empower them to protect their health, life and future.