GRSJ224/Adolescent Pregnancy in Europe
Overview
Adolescent pregnancy rates have the ability to vary in industrialized nations and developing countries. Social stigma with regards to adolescent pregnancy is often seen within developed countries, whereas developing nations adopt a more supportive approach in terms of cultural norms with regards to the topic. Acting as a major contributor to maternal and child mortality on a global scale, adolescent pregnancy and childbirth are often faced with difficult socio-economic factors that have detrimental effects on childbearing mothers, along with their children. [1] These contrasting circumstances are visible throughout a range of countries consisting of a variety of unique socio-economic factors within Europe as a whole.
Geographic Variation
Western Europe
Switzerland
Holding the lowest teenage pregnancy and adolescent birthrate in Europe as of 2012, 3.4 out of 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 will conceive at a young age.[2] With such a low rate being present, a variety of social determinants may be examined in having an impact on resulting figures.
United Kingdom
Despite having the highest adolescent pregnancy rate in Western Europe as of 2012 [3] , the U.K. has managed to drop its rate 26.8% since 2004. Having reached the lowest level in the country after 40 years, abortion levels still remain high which directly results from the lack of using a form of contraception as seen through 80% of the U.K.'s sexually active adolescent population.
Eastern Europe
Romania
With a rate of 46.7 per 1,000 females, Romania tops the list on Europe's highest adolescent pregnancy list. Ranging in socio-economic background, this nation has a generous population of Romani who are an itinerant ethnic group that adopt traditional values of conception at a very young age.
Mediterranean
Italy and Spain
Italy and Spain, having many traditional values and a strong religious following, hold some of the lowest rates consisting of 6 births per 1,000 individuals. This low rate has a correlation with the two countries low abortion rates as well which may be a direct result from having many followers of the Roman Catholic faith who strongly disagree with the subject.
Portugal
Portugal has the highest rate for countries within the Mediterranean region at 17 births per 1,000 women. Although holding similar traditional and religious values as Spain, Portugal varies in economic factors, directly impacting these rates.
Factors of Adolescent Pregnancy
Many factors can play key roles in determining why or how adolescents conceive at a very young age. Factors may include the following: [4]
- Economic status
- Quality of life
- Food security
- Education level
- Quality/availability of education
- Housing
- Unemployment and employment security
- Working conditions
- Social services
- Health care services
- Drugs
- Alcohol
References
- ↑ "International Comparisons of Teenage Births" Office of National Statistic UK http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/births-by-area-of-usual-residence-of-mother--england-and-wales/2012/sty-international-comparisons-of-teenage-pregnancy.html
- ↑ "UK still has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in Western Europe..." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2794234/uk-highest-rate-teen-pregnancies-western-europe-despite-25-fall-decade.html
- ↑ "UK still has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in Western Europe..." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2794234/uk-highest-rate-teen-pregnancies-western-europe-despite-25-fall-decade.html
- ↑ "Raphael, D. Social determinants of health: An overview of key issues and themes. Social determinants of health: Canadian perspectives 2nd ed. Canadian Scholar's Press. 2009; 2-19