RATES of teenage pregnancy have dropped in most parts of Merseyside.

But, despite the decrease across the region, only Knowsley, Warrington and Wirral managed to meet a Government target of reducing pregnancies by 20% compared with 1998 figures.

Nationally, teenage pregnancies rates fell by an average 13.9% during that time.

Liverpool’s 2008 rate stood at 52.8 pregnancies per 1,000 girls, compared with a national average of 40.6.

That represented an 8% decrease since 1998, but a slight increase since last year’s rate of 51.6.

Liverpool also had the second highest rate in the North of abortion resulting from these pregnancies – 59%. That was only higher than Trafford, in Greater Manchester, but rates in the South often exceeded 60%.

Knowsley and Wirral both reduced their rates by 21% over 10 years.

Diana Forrest, Knowsley’s director of public health, said: “The teenage pregnancy statistics are good news for young Knowsley residents, and they reflect what a great job we are doing.

“Thanks to the effective partnership between NHS Knowsley and Knowsley Council, we deliver extensive sexual health advice, which plays a major role in educating and supporting youngsters.

“One of these successful initiatives is Teenage Health in Knowsley (THinK), which uses young people to give peers sexual health advice, condoms and general health support.

“The volunteers were specially trained by medical experts and do a fantastic job.

“We often find young people would rather speak to someone of their own age than go straight to a medical professional, and this peer support is one of many initiatives which has helped to reduce teenage pregnancies in Knowsley.”