The Andover Advertiser first with the news
More under-18s have abortions
11:04am Saturday 23rd August 2008
THE number of abortions carried out in Hampshire has gone up, with 11 per cent of patients under 18 years old.
New figures from the Department of Health show that abortions on girls younger than 18 have increased from 356 in 2006 to 395 in 2007.
The overall number of abortions carried out in Hampshire rose by 1.7 per cent last year. However, the figure is lower than the national increase of 2.5 per cent.
Three-quarters of abortions in the county were performed on patients aged 20 or over.
Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) says it is working to improve access to contraception and sexual health services for Hampshire women aged under 18 in particular.
Kate Donohoe, health improvement practitioner for sexual health at Hampshire PCT, explained that the trust was one of the central partners in the Hampshire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership (HTPP).
She said: "We are working towards the implementation of the local action plan."
This group aims to support teenage parents and to improve education and services for them, so they can make informed decisions about relationships, parenthood and sexual health.
Miss Donohoe said that the trust supports sex and relationship education in local schools and that the PCT is working towards:
- increasing the number of distribution venues of free condoms
- improving access to long-acting, reversible contraception
- increasing screening for chlamydia.
- The PCT, along with the HTPP, has recently launched a website, aimed at people aged between 15 and 24, to provide a guide to sexual health services in Hampshire, including information on all Basingstoke clinics.
The website address is www.getiton.nhs.uk
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BonzoDog, local says...
9:07am Mon 25 Aug 08
As they seem keen on videos on YouTube, maybe a video of an actual abortion? That should educate them quickly I reckon? -
Prevention has to be better than this!