 Unplanned pregnancies are a concern in east Belfast |
Teenage pregnancy rates in parts of east Belfast are more than double the average for the Eastern Health Board area, a report has said. The average pregnancy rate among teenagers in the board area is 8.1%, but in Tullycarnet it is 18.8%.
The survey on attitudes towards sexual health among 12 to 16-year-olds is being launched on Monday.
It was carried out amid mounting concern about teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infection rates.
Compiled by the East Belfast Community Health Information Project, more than 100 young people from 10 areas of east Belfast were questioned for the report during July and August this year.
The report found that although teenage pregnancy rates were high in many areas of east Belfast, most young people in the study were not sexually active.
However, many stated that they felt sexual activity was encouraged or influenced by peer pressure, the media, and drink or drugs.
It also found young people had little or no opportunity to discuss issues surrounding sexual health and there was no consistent model of sex education in many schools.
Support for parents
Young people also voiced concern about a lack of sexual health services in their area.
Health development worker Esther Lynch said they wanted to ensure young people were better informed.
She said: "Young people in east Belfast have had their say.
"Will we listen?"
The report recommended raising awareness of services for the youth and support for parents.
Support groups, written information, lay health information workers and awareness training have all been identified as ways of informing both young people and the older generation.
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