Scotland's teenage pregnancy rates continue to decline

The study found a continued decline in teenage pregnancy rates across Scotland

Latest figures have shown a continued decline in the pregnancy rate among teenage girls across Scotland.

Statistics for 2013 showed that the levels among under 20s had dropped from a peak of 57.7 per 1,000 population in 2007 to 37.7.

The Information Services Division said that translated to a decrease of nearly 35% over the period concerned.

Its report said teenage pregnancies had been "consistently decreasing" with island NHS board figures "very low".

The study highlights a number of variations in figures across the country.

• In mainland NHS boards, NHS Dumfries and Galloway recorded the lowest rate of teenage pregnancy in the under 18 age group with 18.9 per 1,000 population

• NHS Grampian recorded the lowest rate in the under 20 age group with 33.2 per 1,000 population

• In mainland NHS boards, NHS Borders recorded the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the under 16 age group with 5.8 per 1,000 population

• NHS Fife recorded the highest rates in both the under 18 and under 20 age groups with rates of 31.6 and 48.4 per 1,000 population respectively

The report also found that termination rates for the under 16 age group had remained higher than delivery rates since 2002.

It added that there was a "strong correlation" between deprivation and teenage pregnancy.

In the under 20 age group, it reported that a teenage female living in the most deprived area was 4.8 times as likely to experience a pregnancy as someone living in the least deprived area and nearly 12 times as likely to deliver their baby.

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: "I am pleased to see the rate of teenage pregnancy has continued to reduce for the sixth year, which is very encouraging alongside recent reductions in terminations of pregnancy.

"Reducing levels of pregnancy in young people will help to increase the choices, opportunities and wellbeing available to them throughout their lives."

She said the Scottish government was determined to further decrease the rates but was disappointed by the difference in levels between deprived and more affluent areas.

Ms Watt added that a new draft strategy on the issue aimed to build upon the reductions seen in recent years.