Free contraception has led to big fall in teenage pregnancies

This follows the introduction of free contraception for under-21s since 2017.

‘It’s a programme that’s been enormously successful and had strong political support,’ said director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink.

‘I think that really highlights the importance of user-centred care, looking at what the needs of the service user are and removing barriers for access to care, and I think that’s been fundamental to the success of the programme.’

The reports noted that teenage pregnancy was associated with poor outcomes for young women and their children.

‘For mothers, there is a higher risk of poor educational attainment, social isolation and poorer mental and physical health, while their children are more likely to be born pre-term or with low birth weight,’ the report stated.

The report noted that in the 10 years from 2008, under-18 conceptions were notably higher here than Jersey, with the main difference being that contraception was free in Jersey, while people in Guernsey had to pay.

‘Our hypothesis was that cost was forming a barrier for young people coming forward for contraception,’ said Dr Brink.

‘We’ve seen a decline in the under-18 conceptions to a level where we are know the best in the British Isles.’

Dr Brink said she was incredibly grateful for the political support she received to introduce the programme.

‘It was considered by the Committee for Health & Social Care, and the Committee for Employment and Social Security.

‘We presented the comparative data and said our hypothesis was that if we have free contraception for the under-21s, we could achieve levels similar to Jersey and that is what we’re seeing.’

Under-21s now have to access the full range of contraceptive methods free of charge from either their own GP, from Choices or the Orchard Centre.

‘Young people now have more choice and better control of their sexual and reproductive health than ever before and the costs of preventing pregnancy that used to fall disproportionately on young women have now been removed,’ the reports states.

‘As to the success of the programme in preventing young conceptions, the numbers speak for themselves.’

For Guernsey and Alderney there has been a reduction in the rate of conceptions in each three-year reporting period since free contraception was introduced.

This reduction has been more rapid than the downward trend observed in earlier years and is very likely due to the free contraception initiative.

The rates for Guernsey fell below Jersey for the first time for 2019-21 and now stand at 4.3 per 1,000.

Despite the progress, the teenager age group still remains at the highest risk of an unplanned pregnancy, and in several States strategies and work streams the under-18 conception rate has been adopted as a general indicator of child health and inequality.