Nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide unplanned - who's to blame?
Contraception prevents 188 million unplanned pregnancies worldwide annually , which results in 112 million fewer abortions and fewer maternal deaths.
These figures emerged as South Africa prepares to commemorate World Contraception Day on 26 September - one of more than 70 countries taking part in the initiative.
This worldwide campaign centres on a vision for a world where every pregnancy is wanted.
Launched in 2007, the day is held to improve awareness of contraception to enable young people to make informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
Contraception Day in SA focuses on the need to encourage people to exercise their right to search for accurate, unbiased information about contraception and to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
It further aims to provide credible information on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) – because as much as unwanted pregnancies are widespread, so is the increased rate of preventable STDs.
The scale of the problem:
* Worldwide, more than 41% of the 208 million pregnancies that occur each year are unplanned;
* Unplanned pregnancies constitute a global problem associated with substantial costs to health and social services and emotional distress to women, their families and society;
* Each year, up to 15 million females aged 15 – 19 give birth. In this age group, pregnancy related deaths are the leading cause of mortality for young women;
* Each year, contraception prevents 188 million unplanned pregnancies which results in 112 million fewer abortions, 1.1 million fewer new-born deaths and 150 000 fewer maternal deaths and
* If unmet need for contraception was fully satisfied, 53 million more unplanned pregnancies could be prevented every year.
What are some of the talking points?
• The importance of taking responsibility for your life (if you are having unprotected sex, pregnancy and STI’s are almost a given).
• The impact that an unplanned pregnancy has on the life of a teenager, parents (usually the parents end up having to support and raise a new, unplanned baby), future plans (education, career and ability to become financially independent) – and so much more!
• Whose responsibility is it to initiate discussions on contraception with teenagers: parents, teachers, doctors, nurses?
• The role and responsibility parents have in communicating with their teenagers about contraception.
• Does talking to a teenager about contraception promote promiscuity?
• Should contraception be discussed at school level?
• Is it medically safe for teenagers to use contraception?
• From what age is it considered medically safe to use contraception and what are the long-term consequences considering the many years girls may be using contraception?
• What effect does contraception have on the sexual development of a girl?
• What about boys – what responsibility do they have?
• How should we educate and reach out to boys?
• How and when do you talk to your partner about contraception?
• How does the menstrual cycle work?
• Is it bad for me to not have a period as a result of the contraceptive method I am on?
• What happens to the blood if I am not having a period?
• When, during my menstrual cycle am I most likely to fall pregnant?
• What about Sexually Transmitted Infections?
• Do STI’s really disproportionately affect women and adolescent girls?
Local and international support for worldwide contraception:
> World Contraception Day in South Africa is supported by Bayer Healthcare. The company has a strong background in women’s health and the company shares the vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted.
> WCD is supported globally by a coalition of 11 international NGOs and scientific and medical societies with an interest in sexual health.
What resources are available?
• www.yourlifenow.co.za : a website aimed at educating teenagers and their parents about sexual health and contraception. Fun and funky, this website has been developed to provide a platform for teenagers and their parents to find information.
These figures emerged as South Africa prepares to commemorate World Contraception Day on 26 September - one of more than 70 countries taking part in the initiative.
This worldwide campaign centres on a vision for a world where every pregnancy is wanted.
Launched in 2007, the day is held to improve awareness of contraception to enable young people to make informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
Contraception Day in SA focuses on the need to encourage people to exercise their right to search for accurate, unbiased information about contraception and to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
It further aims to provide credible information on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) – because as much as unwanted pregnancies are widespread, so is the increased rate of preventable STDs.
The scale of the problem:
* Worldwide, more than 41% of the 208 million pregnancies that occur each year are unplanned;
* Unplanned pregnancies constitute a global problem associated with substantial costs to health and social services and emotional distress to women, their families and society;
* Each year, up to 15 million females aged 15 – 19 give birth. In this age group, pregnancy related deaths are the leading cause of mortality for young women;
* Each year, contraception prevents 188 million unplanned pregnancies which results in 112 million fewer abortions, 1.1 million fewer new-born deaths and 150 000 fewer maternal deaths and
* If unmet need for contraception was fully satisfied, 53 million more unplanned pregnancies could be prevented every year.
What are some of the talking points?
• The importance of taking responsibility for your life (if you are having unprotected sex, pregnancy and STI’s are almost a given).
• The impact that an unplanned pregnancy has on the life of a teenager, parents (usually the parents end up having to support and raise a new, unplanned baby), future plans (education, career and ability to become financially independent) – and so much more!
• Whose responsibility is it to initiate discussions on contraception with teenagers: parents, teachers, doctors, nurses?
• The role and responsibility parents have in communicating with their teenagers about contraception.
• Does talking to a teenager about contraception promote promiscuity?
• Should contraception be discussed at school level?
• Is it medically safe for teenagers to use contraception?
• From what age is it considered medically safe to use contraception and what are the long-term consequences considering the many years girls may be using contraception?
• What effect does contraception have on the sexual development of a girl?
• What about boys – what responsibility do they have?
• How should we educate and reach out to boys?
• How and when do you talk to your partner about contraception?
• How does the menstrual cycle work?
• Is it bad for me to not have a period as a result of the contraceptive method I am on?
• What happens to the blood if I am not having a period?
• When, during my menstrual cycle am I most likely to fall pregnant?
• What about Sexually Transmitted Infections?
• Do STI’s really disproportionately affect women and adolescent girls?
Local and international support for worldwide contraception:
> World Contraception Day in South Africa is supported by Bayer Healthcare. The company has a strong background in women’s health and the company shares the vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted.
> WCD is supported globally by a coalition of 11 international NGOs and scientific and medical societies with an interest in sexual health.
What resources are available?
• www.yourlifenow.co.za : a website aimed at educating teenagers and their parents about sexual health and contraception. Fun and funky, this website has been developed to provide a platform for teenagers and their parents to find information.
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