Teen pregnancy ‘still pressing issue on CV’

Although the fertility rate in the region has decreased significantly over the past three decades, falling from 4.4 children per woman in 1993 to 2.0 in 2022, teenage pregnancy remains a pressing problem in Central Visayas.

Archel Lea Jayme, chief information officer of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), said on Thursday that the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey reported that five per cent of women aged 15 to 19 in the region had experienced a pregnancy, matching the national average. , 21 November 2024.

Although progress has been made in reducing teenage pregnancies among adolescents aged 15 to 19, the increasing number of pregnancies among teenage girls is a growing concern.

According to Jayme, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded more than 3,100 live births among girls aged 10 to 14 nationwide in 2022, a 35 percent increase from the previous year.

Central Visayas recorded pregnancies of girls under 15 years of age based on 2022 PSA birth statistics. Jayme said that although some local government units report the specific ages of these young mothers, CPD 7 is still verifying these reports.

“The increase among young adolescents highlights gaps in protective measures and calls for more strategic interventions, such as comprehensive sexuality education and stronger legal frameworks to protect young girls,” he said.

Unintended pregnancies remain a serious concern, with the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFS5) revealing that three in 10 pregnancies among girls aged 15-19 are unintended.

Inadequate sex education continues to contribute to a lack of awareness about birth control among teens, while myths about its use and misconceptions, including fears about potential side effects, further discourage teens from accessing and using birth control methods.

According to YAFS5, 41 percent of men and 42 percent of women cited fear of side effects as the reason for not using family planning methods.

Additionally, cultural and social norms in conservative communities often stigmatize premarital sex and prevent open discussions about reproductive health, Jayme said.

“Peer groups may apply pressure to engage in romantic relationships or sexual activity to fit in, gain approval, or avoid exclusion. This pressure often leads to risky behavior, including unprotected sexual intercourse, leading to unintended pregnancies,” he said.

According to Jayme and YAFS5, more than 30 percent of young Filipinos ages 15-24 rely on social media for information about sex, often encountering misinformation or idealized portrayals that fail to address real-life challenges.

Jayme said teenage pregnancies significantly disrupt education.

The 2017 Annual Poverty Indicator Survey reported that 9.1 percent of Filipino youth aged 6-24 are out of school, with marriage and pregnancy among girls being the main reasons.

A study by the United Nations Population Fund estimates that teenage pregnancies result in P33 billion in lost lifetime earnings for Filipino girls every year.

According to Jayme, to combat teenage pregnancy, the Ministry of Education7 needs to ensure the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in schools and communities.

Jayme said these programs must provide accurate information on reproductive health, gender equality and decision-making.

He added that local government units at all levels should ensure universal access to youth-friendly reproductive health services, including contraception, family planning, counselling, prenatal care and postnatal support.