PAPER C

CHILDREN'S COMMITTEE - 19 SEPTEMBER 2001

TEENAGE PREGNANCY AND SEXUAL HEALTH

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES & HOUSING AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND LIFE LONG LEARNING

1. SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1.1 The question put to Members by Mrs S White, in April, on behalf of a group of 20 women was: "Sex Abstinence Education, we see from Social Services papers that the aim is to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies amongst the under 18's by 15% by 2004. The 'Morning After' pill is to be used to attain this aim. In the USA teenage pregnancies have been reduced by 17% by giving a higher profile to Sex Abstinence Education. Use of the 'Morning After' pill may lower figures but it will also promote promiscuity and offers a higher risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases, it also undermines parental control. Will the Council itself be considering the benefits of Sex Abstinence Education and will Councillors, who are Governors, consider actively supporting this in their Schools? "It's cool to say no"".

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 The Government commissioned a report on Teenage Pregnancy in 1999 and has established the Teenage Pregnancy Unit which is charged with implementing a national strategy, utilizing international research and evidence from the USA amongst others, through regional and Local Authority based co-ordinators. The Government's aim is to reduce teenage pregnancies by 50%, by 2010.

2.2 The 1999 report to Government outlined the 3 major policy areas to underpin this aim:

o A national campaign to mobilize every section of the community, including local and central Government, to achieve the agreed goals;

o Better prevention of the causes of teenage pregnancy through better education about sex and relationships, clearer messages about contraception, and special attention to at-risk groups;

o Better support for pregnant teenagers and teenage parents, to make sure they finish education and learn parenting skills, as well as changes to housing rules so that young parents are not housed in isolated independent tenancies.

2.3 The targets on teenage pregnancy are integrated into a number of associated plans for Health, Education and Social Services on the Island.

o The Island Health and Well-Being - Health Improvement Plan

o The Education Development Plan through targets for Healthy Schools and for Relationship and Sexual Health Education, with associated Government guidance for schools

o Social Services lead on the Quality Protects Management Action Plan

o Sure Start, and Early Year Development Partnership Plan

o Connexions Plan

o Healthy Living Centre Plan

2.4 Statistics show us that Ryde St Johns Ward was the 3^rd highest in the SE Health region for teenage conceptions following Portsmouth's Charles Dickens and Paulsgrove Wards.

2.5 The Island is a partner in the SE Hampshire teenage pregnancy strategy. This strategy is underpinned by the following principles and values: Young people centered; partnership working; addressing inequalities; long term, sustained and evidence based.

3 EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH

3.1 As part of the teenage pregnancy strategy, the Isle of Wight Health Authority commissioned research into the sexual health needs of looked after children on the Island. Young people in public care are viewed as a vulnerable group who can benefit from targeted support in relation to sexual health. The research report made specific recommendations relating to: Policy, Young People's Participation, Training and Specialist Support & Resources. These will be the focus of ongoing work.

3.2 The American approach has been to emphasize and promote abstinence as the principle focus in sex education. American research is referenced in pamphlets from organizations such as the Christian Institute UK, which challenge Government policies as promoting promiscuity, encouraging unsafe sex; increasing the incident of sexually transmitted infections, and undermining the role of parents. It attributes the 17% drop in teenage pregnancies in the USA in the 1990's to sex abstinence education.

3.3 In reviewing the research literature, the Guttmacher Institute in the USA finds:-

o Conflicting findings about the successes and failures of a variety of programmes from abstinence to multi-faceted education programmes. Evaluation suggests that a comprehensive focus on sexuality produces positive outcomes, and does not increase sexual activity, but few have been able to demonstrate significant long term effects.

o Youth risk behaviour surveys in the USA show the 17% decline in sexual activity from 1991-1997, but an increase from 1997-1999. With regard to the 17% decrease, conflicting research finds that only a quarter of the reduction can be said to be the consequence of abstinence teaching with three quarters attributable to better use of contraceptives in particular longer term methods of contraceptive injections or implantations.

o In a one year follow-up study of abstinence based programmes, there was found to be no difference between females in the intervention and comparison groups, and for males initiation of sexual intercourse appeared higher in the intervention than the comparison group.

o Research in the Netherlands, found that the more young people were taught, had access to information, and were able to discuss this at home and at school, the longer they delayed having sexual intercourse.

4 THE ISLAND APPROACH

4.1 The joint strategy to reduce teenage pregnancy and social exclusion in the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire, has a 3 year action plan, which is divided, into three sections:

Better Prevention - Sex and Relationship Education

Better Contraceptive, Advice and Information Services
Better Support for Teenage Parents

4.2 The strategy aims to adopt a comprehensive, inclusive and informative approach to tackling our problem. This includes pointing out the dangers of early sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections and addressing resistance to peer and media pressure, encouragement that it is as cool to say no. It also responds to the Department of Health directive in relation to emergency contraception (Morning After Pill) as part, but not the only method of reducing pregnancies.

4.3 The Island is adopting the approach to sex education based on Government guidance, which requires that pupils:

o Should learn the significance of marriage and stable relationships as key building blocks of community and society

o Be given accurate information and helped to develop skills to enable them to understand difference and respect themselves and others

o Secondary pupils should learn to understand human sexuality, the reasons for delaying sexual activity and the benefits to be gained from such delay, and learn about obtaining appropriate advice on sexual health

4.4 The Curriculum and Standards Guidance issued by the Government issued in July 2000, also states that: "Sex and relationship education should contribute to promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at school and of society and preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life."

5 CONCLUSION

5.1 The UK has a worryingly high teenage pregnancy rate that research tells us leads to cycles of deprivation and social exclusion. This is relevant to the Island given the present statistics. There are Government funds available to help us work towards the set target, in partnership. On balance research evidence is being gathered that indicates a comprehensive approach, which combines information, advice and the participation of young people, has the best chance of producing the outcome where young people are enabled to make informed responsible choices about their current and future sexual activity and health.

5.2 In order to implement both national and local strategies, it will be important on the Island, to work towards achieving a consensus approach. Elected Members, Faith Groups, Parents, Carers and the Island Community are all stakeholders in respect of this important issue. A successful strategy will be based on a collective position with regard to differing viewpoints, political or religious to support the next generation to realize their potential without the hazard of unwanted teenage parenthood by:

"Encouraging personal and social development, fostering self-esteem, self-awareness, a sense of moral responsibility, and the confidence and ability to resist abuse and unwanted sexual experiences". (Framework for Sex and Relationship Education).

6 RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Members are invited to note the position set out in the report and to endorse the approach as outlined.

Contact Points:

Jimmy Doyle, Social Services & Housing Directorate, F 520600 ext 2247

Julia Ward, Sexual Health Co-ordinator (Health Adviser)

Prue Grimshaw, Social Services & Housing Directorate

David Pettitt, Education Directorate

Marguerite Howick, Healthy Schools Co-ordinator for the IOW & NHSS (National Healthy School Standard) South East Regional Co-ordinator

C WADDICOR - Director of Social Services and Housing

A KAYE - Director of Education, Community Development and Life Long Learning