Hume and Whittlesea have the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Melbourne’s north.
A report by Women’s Health in the North (WHIN) reveals that the rate of 15 to 19-year-olds giving birth in the municipalities in 2011 was 10.1 per 1000 young people in Whittlesea and 10.3 in Hume.
In the same age group, the Victorian average is 7.3 births for every 1000 young people.
The not-for-profit group’s report looks at the current sexual and reproductive health data in its catchment, which includes Hume, Whittlesea, Darebin, Banyule, Moreland, Nillumbik and Yarra.
The report reveals Whittlesea and Hume also trail behind the state average for cervical cancer immunisations for 15-year-old girls. The Victorian average is almost 74 per cent, while Whittlesea’s is 68.7 per cent and Hume’s 72.1 per cent.
The data does, however, offer some positive news. Only about 11 per cent of sexually active female students in years 7, 9 and 11 do not use contraception in Whittlesea.
In Yarra, 54.7 per cent of young women in these year levels do not use contraception. The state average is about 21 per cent.
Report author Hayley Pritchard said young people heard messages about sex from many sources, including the internet, media, their peers and porn – “and it’s often incorrect”.
WHIN will hold a forum, Continuing the Conversation: Beyond the Birds and the Bees, on November4, 6.30-8.30pm, at Coburg High School for parents and professionals. RSVP: 9484 1666
