Teen pregnancy reduction eyed
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The Public Health Ministry sets a goal to reduce pregnancy rate among teens, aged 15-19.
Deputy Public Health Minister Somsak Chunharas told reporters on the sidelines of the International Planned Parenthood Federation conference that in 2012, teen mothers in the age group gave birth to 129,451 babies, or 53.8 per 1,000. This rate would be reduced to below 50 within 2017, he said.
He said that this would require an integrated approach, through cooperation with health and non-health agencies.
Three strategies are outlined: proper sex education in schools; teen clinics at state-owned hospitals; and campaign to cover local administrative bodies, communities and families to drive awareness in pregnancy prevention.
