The Malaysian Youth and Sexual Reproductive Health survey recently showed that pregnancy myths remain prevalent with many admitting to not knowing the importance of protection to prevent pregnancy. The results of the inadequate and inaccurate knowledge of our teenagers are clearly evidenced by more than 19,000 births each year to teenage mothers between 2009 to 2011. The adolescent fertility rate was recorded at 6 births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years in 2013. Many of these births were from unwed women. On the other end of the spectrum of teenage pregnancies are abortions, miscarriages and in extreme cases, baby dumping.Recent global estimates published in the Lancet estimated 35 abortions per 1000 women of reproductive age in the years 2010 to 2014. It was also shown the total number of abortions may be twice the number of live births.
Baby dumping statistics were significant with the Royal Malaysian Police recording 407 cases from 2005 to 2010.
Local medical research has shown that associated factors related to teenage pregnancies are poverty, poor academic achievement, inadequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, lack of parental supervision and peer pressure.
Recent United States data about teenage pregnancy rates have shown that the rates are the lowest recorded ever and the reasons behind this decline were related to less teens having sex, more information on pregnancy prevention and access to highly effective contraception.
The Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM) in its commitment to protect women’s health as well as contribute to national efforts in preventing teenage pregnancies and its dire consequences, has launched a tri-lingual contraceptive and pregnancy prevention information website for the public.
The link is attached : http://mychoice.my
Dr. John Teo is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and a member of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia