RATES of teenage pregnancy have fallen in most Merseyside boroughs.
In Liverpool, 50.1 of girls aged 15-17 fell pregnant in 2009 per 1000. This compares to 52.8 in 2008. In Knowsley, the figure fell from 43.3 to 41, a 23.6% reduction since 2008, while Sefton’s numbers fell to 29.3 from 30.5 in 2008. But teenage pregnancy rates in Wirral and Halton appear to have risen. In Wirral, the rate stood at 44, compared to 40 in 2008, and Halton’s was the highest in the region at 58.9, compared to 52 in 2008. Sue Drew, director of public health for Knowsley, said: “I’m delighted that we are continuing to improve on the high standard achieved last year.”
A Liverpool PCT spokesman said: “While these figures are encouraging, teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge for the city.”
