High teenage pregnancy still noted in Pangasinan
LINGAYEN—About 49% of 30,100 teenage girls have so far became pregnant with their first born even before they reached the age of adulthood.
This was gleaned from the report of Ellsworth Gonzales, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Population Office (PPO) during the first Provincial Population Congress.
“We cannot really say, yet, if the number teenage pregnancy is increasing or decreasing,” he said.
He said the rate of pregnancy among 15-19 years old girls was already established by PPO’s survey in 40 our of 47 towns.
Even as the final results are being awaited, PPO continues to intensify its information and communication campaign.
Gonzales said the YAFS4 Regional Dissemination Forum held in 2014 revealed that percentage of the youth in the Philippines with vices as smoking, alcohol-drinking and illegal drug-use had decreased, but more youth are now engaged in sexual activities particularly premarital sex (PMS).
With the reported decrease in the non-sexual risk behaviors, YAFS4 “suggests a more health conscious youth population, as supported further by the finding of a high prevalence of physical exercise.”
These behaviors have indicated low use of contraception leading to increased teenage pregnancy or sexually-transmitted diseases, and the narrowing gap between men and women who engage in PMS. (Johanne Macob)
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