Teenage pregnancies in Wandsworth below national average (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Teenage pregnancies in Wandsworth below national average

1:24pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Alexandra Rucki

Figures show teenage pregnancies in the borough have dramatically reduced over the past decade and a half.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows the number of girls aged under 18 becoming pregnant has fallen by more than 58 per cent.

Between 1998 and 2011 the rate fell from 71 cases per thousand to 29, with Wandsworth falling below the national average.

The borough's scores the fourth best in London and has experienced the fifth biggest reduction in England and Wales.

The council and the Wandsworth Primary Care Trust partnership has been attributed to the decline in pregnancies.

Time was spent working with young people to resist pressure to rush into sex and helping them to access sexual health clinics.

Houda Al-Sharifi, director of Public Health for NHS Wandsworth, said: "This success reflects the strong combined efforts of NHS staff, local schools, community organisations, voluntary agencies and youth workers.

"Although we have seen some very notable successes, we must not become complacent. Our work will continue with a range of new initiatives to build on the excellent results achieved so far."