Monday, April 13, 2020

Exploring teenage pregnancy in the uk Essay Example

Exploring teenage pregnancy in the uk Essay Sexual Health is a cardinal component of wellness. Teenage gestation is an facet of sexual wellness which has been of great public wellness and societal importance due to the deductions it poses. Harmonizing to UNICEF ( 2001 ) , UK has the highest adolescent gestation rate in Western Europe. This essay will critically analyze the factors that contribute to teenage gestation in the UK, that is, socio-economic, education- related factors and every bit good as hazardous behavior. To acquire a better understating of this subject, effects of adolescent gestation every bit good as current schemes, intercessions and recommendations for improved attention in undertaking adolescent gestation will be discussed. The essay will be concluded with a sum-up of the literature. We will write a custom essay sample on Exploring teenage pregnancy in the uk specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Exploring teenage pregnancy in the uk specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Exploring teenage pregnancy in the uk specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Adolescent gestation can be defined as a term employed to mention to giving birth of immature adult females under 20 which consequence in unrecorded births or abortions ( Ewles 2005 ) . The graduated table of job is shocking. Approximately 91,200 constructs in adolescents take topographic point per twelvemonth, 7700 among misss under 16 old ages of age and 2200 among 14 twelvemonth olds or younger ( Chambers et al 2001 ) . Furthermore, 46 % constitutes to those who have legal abortion and 56 % of those aged under 16 old ages who partake in an abortion. Harmonizing to Ewles ( 2005 ) , UK teenage gestation rates are much higher compared to other European states, in that, they are five times every bit high as compared to those in Netherlands, three times every bit high as compared to France and two times higher in Germany. Adolescent gestation poses a great public wellness menace due to the causal nexus associated with wellness inequalities. The high rates of abortion and sexually familial disease elucidates that immature people are non holding protected sex and this is supported by the dismaying STI rates which are highest in 16-19 twelvemonth old adult females ( Baker et al 2007 ) . Furthermore, Elwes ( 2005 ) states that one in 10 sexually active adolescents is infected with a sexually familial disease, exemplifying deficiency of public consciousness about sex instruction, contraceptive method and rubber usage. In order to undertake adolescent gestation, it is of import to understand the factors that contribute to teenage gestation. Research grounds has identified the cardinal hazard factors which are acknowledged to be associated with adolescent gestation. Ewles ( 2005 ) states that low outlooks is a major factor, where we see there is a important association between immature people from lower-social economic categories and high rates of adolescent gestation and birth. Lack of employment and detachment from instruction or preparation can potentially give rise to feelings of insufficiency and hoplessness therefore ends and aspirations seem unachievable impacting the mentality of one s hereafter. Furthermore, harmonizing to the study conducted by the Department for instruction and accomplishments ( 2006 ) , low instruction attainment and go forthing school at 16 with no makings are obviously independent hazard factors of adolescent gestation. Consequently, parentage can be perceived as an appropriate blessing to derive maturity position with no employment or educational attainment to demo for it. However, the SEU ( 1999 ) did non happen grounds to back up these findings. Ignorance about sex and relationships has been identified as another hazard factor. Notwithstanding being surrounded by sexual images and messages from an early age and despite being sexually active, research demonstrates that there is hapless cognition on consensual and safe sexual relationships, contraceptive method and STI s among immature people ( Ewles 2005 ) . A survey conducted by the Health Education Authority ( 1999 ) reported that 25 % of adolescents aged 14-15 old ages perceived that the preventive pill protected them from geting a sexually transmitted diseases which can be exacerbated by myths, such as first sexual experience will non stop up in gestation, that are evident in the society. In a nutshell, immature people have impractical perceptual experiences on gestation and parentage ( SEU 1999 ) . Assorted messages have been associated with teenage gestation, given that, kids and adolescents in the UK are bombarded by sexual images and messages which can potentially take one to believing and accepting sex as the norm in the society even at a immature age ( Ewles 2005 ) . It is argued that in the UK, sex appears to be the usage and comparatively necessary, whereas contraceptive method and sexual wellness consciousness is unequal therefore clarifying immature people can non do informed determinations ( NHS 2004 ) . Simultaneously, there may be deficient communicating between parents or instructors and immature people on sex and contraceptive method therefore go forthing immature people uninformed. Poverty is another factor, where the hazard of going a teenage female parent is about 10 times more in misss and adult females from societal category V ( unskilled and manual ) as compared to adult females in societal category 1 ( professional ) ( DOH 1999 ) . Additionally, research grounds illustrates immature adult females who have experienced attention or Foster and homelessness are at hazard every bit good ( Chambers et al 2001 ) . A survey reported adult females in this class are two times at hazard of going teenage female parents compared to those raised by birth parents ( Baker 2007 ) . A complimentary survey besides found out that about 50 % of misss go forthing attention become female parents within 18months to two old ages ( DOH 1999 ) . A British cohort survey conducted in 1970 reported that one of the strongest forecasters of teenage gestation is being a girl of a teenage female parent because they are 1.5 times at hazard as compared to kids born of older adult females ( Baker 2007 ) . Harmonizing to DOH ( 1999 ) , holding a history sexual maltreatment is identified as a hazard factor where we see immature people may be loath to abstain from sexual force per unit area subsequent to mistreat that ensued. Numerous surveies have elucidated the association between mental wellness upsets and teenage gestation, in add-on, Maskey s survey conducted in 1991 illustrated that a 3rd of immature adult females with behavior upsets become pregnant before the age of 17 ( Baker 2007 ) . Crime is besides a factor particularly with adolescents who get involved in improper activities doing constabulary intercession because they are twice likely to go adolescent parents. ( Chambers et al 2001 ) . Tyrer et al conducted in a survey in 2005 and reported that 39 % of immature female wrongdoers are adolescent female parents even as approximates propose that more than 25 % of immature male wrongdoers are adolescent male parents or fathers-to-be ( Zaplin 2006 ) . Hazardous behavior for illustration early oncoming of sexual activity and hapless preventive usage are factors associated with adolescent gestation. The mean age of first sexual intercourse has fallen from to 16 ( House Of Commons 2002-3 ) and girls holding sex under 16 are three times more likely to go pregnant that those who have sex over 16 old ages ( SEU 1999 ) . Approximately 60 % of male childs and 47 % of misss dropping out of school at 16 with no makings engaged in sex compared to 20 % for both males ( Baker 2007 ) . Ethnicity has a cardinal nexus with adolescent gestation. Consistent with the 2001 nose count, informations on female parents under 19years demonstrated that adolescent gestation rates are well higher among female parents of mixed and black Caribbean, other black and black Caribbean ethnicity ( Baker 2007 ) . Early oncoming of sexual activity is linked to cultural groups where a study conducted in East London ( Viner and Roberts 2004, ) illustrated that first sexual brush under 16 was higher among Caribbean work forces ( 56 % ) compared with 30 % for black African and 27 % for white work forces and 11 % for Indian and Pakistani work forces. As for adult females, 30 % for both white, black Caribbean, 12 % for black African and 3 % for Indian and Pakistani adult females. In add-on, hapless prophylactic usage among specific cultural groups has been associated with adolescent gestation ( Baker 2007 ) . Having acknowledged the factors and effects associated with high rates of teenage gestation, Tony Blair commissioned the Social Exclusion Unit ( SEU 1999 ) to develop a adolescent gestation scheme, known as the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in 1999 ( Ewles 2005 ) . Its chief purposes were to halve the figure of teenage constructs by 2010 and set up a consistent diminution in tendency in the under -16 adolescent gestation rate ( SEU 1999 ) . Harmonizing to ( Chambers et al 2001 ) , a sum of 150 adolescent gestation co-ordinators were appointed in each local authorization country in England, in 2000, who lead the force to put to death the Social Exclusion Unit study. Each local country has employed a 10-year scheme, with local under -18 gestation rate decrease marks of between 40 % and 60 % , which strengthens the national decrease mark of 50 % ( Ewles 2005 ) . As recommended by the SEU ( 1999 ) , the chief preventive intercessions in undertaking adolescent gestation are effectual school-based sex and relationships instruction ( SRE ) that are established with the aid of local authorization, peculiarly when correlated with contraceptive method usage and services. HDA ( 2004 ) reported that SRE programmes was extremely rated by immature people who received it and were positively impacted by the cognition and decreased the degree of study over first sexual intercourse.However, from the UK- based systematic rating of SRE programme they found out that the multi-faceted attack had no consequence on contraceptive method usage and sexual behavior ( Nice 2004 ) . ( DFES ) stated that effectual instruction programmes should be focused on extenuating behaviors that cause adolescent gestation and are based on theory and high spot background information on sexual affairs Furthermore clear information on usage of contraceptive method is necessary and im mature people should be informed about the hazard factors, how they can avoid sex as good protection against gestation and STI s. Activities that help cover with equal and societal force per unit area are cardinal and how to get communicating, dialogue and refusal accomplishments by using participatory learning methods ( HDA 2004 ) . Ewles ( 2005 ) argues that abstention instruction as recommended by the scheme has proved to be uneffective The scheme stated the demand to affect and supply information on bar to teenager s parents which is cardinal. SEU ( 1999 ) recommended that young person Services should affect programmes that integrate a long term, multi-dimensional attack that is a combination of self-esteem edifice, voluntary work, and educational support ( Ewles 2005 ) and have a clear focal point on turn toing issues that affect immature people for illustration, sexual wellness and substance maltreatment. HDA ( 2004 ) states that, the acceptance of development programmes has proved to be successful in America and has been elucidated as a competent attack to teenage bar. Chambers et Al ( 2003 ) argues that proviso of effectual sexual wellness services has been identified as a factor for cut downing adolescent gestation. The DFES ( 2006 ) recommended the handiness and handiness of well-publicised preventive and sexual wellness advice services targeted for immature people, with a an established duty that commits to wellness publicity work and bringing of reactive service. In add-on, engaged and coordinated action among all cardinal mainstream bringing spouses who are responsible for cut downing adolescent gestation wellness, Education, Social services and youth support services every bit good as the voluntary sector is critical ( Ewles 2005 ) . Furthermore, HDA ( 2004 ) recommended that practising confidentiality and holding long term proviso of services has proved effectual in teenage bar. Another cardinal recommendation is the demand for a acute focal point on trim intercessions that target immature people who are susceptible to teenage gestation particularly with Looked After Children, that is, those in attention and Foster ( Acheson 2001 ) . The scheme advocated for professionals in spouse administrations for illustration, Connexions, working with the most vulnerable immature people need consistent Sexual and Relationship Education preparation that are readily available ( HDA 2004 ) . Furthermore, the national teenage scheme introduced the national media run aimed at extenuating myths and provides immature with clear and accurate information to do it possible for immature people to do informed picks therefore cut downing adolescent gestation rates ( Ewles 2005 ) . It recommended that effectual information should be clear and unambiguous ( HDA 2004 ) . The current focal point on consciousness and instruction is supported by the two national media runs which are ; R U believing is addressed to immature adolescents promoting them to detain oncoming of sexual activity and eschew equal force per unit area ; Want Respect? Use a rubber is targeted at immature people who are sexually active by advancing rubber usage by associating rubber usage with 1s behaviors and behavior that will gain regard from their equal ( DFES 2006 ) . The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy s chief precedence is to cut down under 18 gestations by supplying immature people with ways and inducements to postpone parentage until they able to get by with the challenges that come with it. However, the scheme is dedicated to back up and cut downing the hazard of hapless results for teenage parents and their kids, with a mark to increase the engagement in instruction, preparation or employment of teenage female parent s aged 16-19 by 2010 ( DFES 2006 ) . Harmonizing to the Acheson Report ( 2001 ) the inequalities faced by adolescents who go on to be mother every bit compared to older female parents are unhinging because there is an increased likeliness they have mental wellness jobs, particularly, post-natal depression ; are 50 % likely to breast provender every bit good as have a higher happening of smoking during gestation and experience relationship dislocation. In add-on, when they become older, say in their mid-thirtiess, it is apparent that they are more likely experience poorness, be subjected to unemployment, deficiency makings and live on benefits which makes them susceptible to acquire trapped in the poorness rhythm which can potentially take to a hapless grownup life. ( Ewles 2005 ) . Children Born of teenage parents are 60 % more at hazard of infant mortality and can perchance decease in their first twelvemonth, 25 more at hazard be conceived with a low birth weight, are peculiarly at much higher hazard of turning up sing poorness, hapless lodging and nutrition for a long draw and are at a greater hazard of going adolescent parents themselves ( Ewles 2005 ) . To forestall hapless out comes for teenage parents and their kids, the scheme recommends and provides support and intercessions that include prenatal and postpartum support where they are provided with impartial information on option of parentage, abortion and acceptance and gestation proving services every bit good ( Ewles 2005 ) . They are advised and acquire aid with psychosocial issues for illustration, anxiousness that they may confront during and after their gestation with the aid of youth-friendly pregnancy services characterised by trim theoretical accounts of attention ( Chambers et al 2005 ) . Together with supplying immature parents with development accomplishments in parentage, the scheme recommends and is committed to supply services that will back up them to remain or restart to instruction, preparation or employment ( Ewles 2005 ) . This is includes happening preferable classs, acquiring aid with child care so that immature parents can go on with instruction or work every bit good as supplying them with necessary aid for them to stay in school or acquire alternate methods to go on with instruction ( DFES 2006 ) . The scheme introduced the Certain Start Plus programme to supply every kid with the best start in life by supplying instruction, child care, wellness and household support ( National Audit Office ) . It recommends and recognizes the important benefits of a committed personal adviser for teenage parents, who tailors ongoing support bundles to run into assorted single demands for illustration lodging and fiscal demands ( Ewles 2005 ) . In consistent with the precedences of the scheme in footings of better support, it acknowledges that high quality support to all teenage parents populating without household or parents is needed ( DFES 2006 ) . Furthermore, some immature female parent under 18 can be susceptible to societal exclusion when they live without any support, taking to isolation particularly when disintegrated from their societal support webs, that is, household. The scheme aims to undertake this by supplying supported lodging to all under 18 lone parents who can non populate at place or with their spouse and are provided with suited demands ( Ewles 2005 ) . This reduces the damaging effects of hapless lodging on wellness. In decision, this essay has discussed the factors that contribute to teenage gestation and its impact on public wellness. Furthermore, the deductions of teenage gestation have been highlighted. The authorities, through the Social Exclusion unit and the constitution of the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, has been involved in undertaking teenage gestation through joined up action, national media run, better support for teenage parents and better bar as discussed. Harmonizing to Naidoo and Wills, instruction and persuasion through mass media run may be an effectual scheme in undertaking teenage gestation because these techniques are geared to alter people s behaviors and life styles volitionally as a consequence of information, support and advice.. HDA ( 2004 ) states that immature people should be provided with sufficient instruction and clear information about all facts of sex and relationships and its deductions coupled with confidential and accessible beginnings of preventive s ervices in undertaking adolescent gestation.