FSRH press statement: bpas report highlights role of Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in promoting good RSE and access to contraception

Today bpas is launching a report which explores the factors that might have led to the sharp decline in teenage pregnancy rates seen since 1998, the baseline year of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. It highlights the role of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in promoting the importance of good quality relationships and sex education (RSE) and contraception.

Dr Asha Kasliwal, President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), said:

“It is very encouraging to learn that young people who participated in this piece of research are strongly aware of the importance of using contraception. However, a significant share of respondents reported not having used any contraception method when having sex, and the majority rely on less effective methods of contraception, so there is no room for complacency. It is also concerning that respondents had an overwhelmingly negative view of the RSE lessons they received.

bpas research reminds us that the successful outcomes of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy will be reversed if we do not continue to champion a whole systems approach to supporting young people to avoid unplanned pregnancies. Young people are still at highest risk of unplanned pregnancies, especially those who live in deprived areas, and teenage births remain higher than comparable Western European countries.   

The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy demonstrated that positive health outcomes can be achieved when there is a joined-up approach underpinned by a strategy grounded in expertise from the frontlines of service delivery and supported by a strong political commitment by Government and other decision-makers.

FSRH urges the Government to invest in a joined-up approach to SRH services to guarantee young people’s access to the full range of contraceptive methods, including LARCs. FSRH also calls for fully-funded, comprehensive and age-appropriate statutory RSE effectively delivered in schools as a tool to help young people avoid unplanned pregnancies.”

Ends

Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 27 Sussex Place, London NW1 4RG. Charity No. 1019969.

Notes to editors:

• The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) is the largest UK professional membership organisation working at the heart of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), supporting healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. It works with its 15,000 members, to shape sexual reproductive health for all. It produces evidence-based clinical guidance, standards, training, qualifications and research into SRH. It also delivers conferences and publishes the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health in partnership with the BMJ.

• bpas report can be found here.

For further information please contact:
Camila Azevedo
FSRH External Affairs & Standards Officer
Email: externalaffairsofficer@fsrh.org
Telephone: 02037945309