Pregnancy and Childbirth
Teenage Pregnancy Health Risks Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Teenage Pregnancy Health Risks. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Teenage Pregnancy in Australia
from:In 2003, the rate of teenage pregnancy in Australia was ranked the sixth highest among more developed nations falling below the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. It was found that 5% of all Australian children were born to women who were 19 years old or younger and legally induced abortions were the second most common reason for 12-24 year-old women to be admitted into an Australian hospital. Furthermore, it was shown that emergency contraception methods provided at Family Planning clinics were most frequently used by teenagers and roughly 45% of sexually active high-school students fail to use condoms on a consistent basis.
Looking at data from 2004, the rate of teenage pregnancy in Australia was 16.3 babies per 1000 women. To demonstrate the disparity between young girls living in poverty and those who are "better off," the pregnancy rate of Queensland mothers living in poverty and aged 15-19 was 67.8 births per 1000 compared to 21.7 per 1000 in the general Queensland population.
According to studies, factors which seem to be associated with a higher risk of teenage pregnancy in Australia are similar to factors which can lead to adolescent pregnancy around the world, such as low self-esteem, hostile family environment, underprivileged socioeconomic status, and a family history of teen pregnancy.
Whatever the factor or factors which contribute to teenage pregnancy in Australia, there three options available to an adolescent who finds herself in this situation. The most common gynecological procedure in Australia, regardless of age, is abortion. Almost half of all unplanned pregnancies end in abortion and roughly 16% of women seeking abortions are teenagers.
Regulations differ among regions. In Queensland, for example, abortion is legal if the continuation of pregnancy can cause serious risk to the woman's physical and mental health. Abortion in Queensland is available up to the 20th week, though over 90% of abortions occur before 12 weeks. The cost ranges from $200-$300 for terminations before 12 weeks, though there are instances where underprivileged individuals receive government aid. The cost increases dramatically for everyone after 12 weeks.
A second option is adoption, though in Australia this does not seem to be a common choice either among teenagers or women in general. Most likely due to a rise in the acceptance of single parenting and improved access to contraceptives and abortion services, only about 80 adoptions occur every year in Queensland.
A variation on the adoption choice is foster care. A few teenage mothers give up their child to a foster family only for a certain amount of time, until they feel ready to take on the responsibility of primary caregiver.
Since the social taboo of single parenting is something of the past and since government aid is available, many more pregnant teenagers are choosing the parenting option. Counseling is available in all Australian regions to help deal with issues of teenage pregnancy in Australia.
Teenage-Pregnancy Online News
Syrian military hospital chief 'killed in Damascus' - BBC News
 BBC News | Syrian military hospital chief 'killed in Damascus' BBC News The head of a Syrian military hospital has been killed by members of an "armed terrorist group" in the capital Damascus, the state news agency says. Three men opened fire on Brig-Gen Dr Isa al-Kholi as he left his home in the north of the city, ... Assad regime official assassinated in Damascus Gunmen Assassinate Army General in Damascus Syria: shelling in Homs as violence spreads |
Ode to conservatism at CPAC, Romney-style - Christian Science Monitor
 Christian Science Monitor | Ode to conservatism at CPAC, Romney-style Christian Science Monitor For Mitt Romney, the Conservative Political Action Conference was a bit of a lion's den. Romney is seen as the moderate in the presidential race, which is why he stressed his conservative credentials. By Linda Feldmann, Staff writer / February 11, ... Hopefuls strut their conservative stuff at CPAC Political Pictures of the Week, Feb. 4-10 At CPAC, candidates get raucous applause from conservatives |
Can birth-control flap rekindle 'repeal ObamaCare' crusade? - Christian Science Monitor
 Sydney Morning Herald | Can birth-control flap rekindle 'repeal ObamaCare' crusade? Christian Science Monitor Republicans see the surge in support for religious freedom as an opening to overturn President Obama's signature health-care reform. Conservatives are not likely to let the issue go lightly. By Gail Russell Chaddock, Staff writer / February 11, ... GOP conservatives unite against birth control coverage Bishops: Contraception deal 'unacceptable' Conservatives shrug at Obama birth control rewrite |
Obama's budget plan draws upon his previous proposals - Los Angeles Times
 Los Angeles Times | Obama's budget plan draws upon his previous proposals Los Angeles Times A preview of President Obama's 2013 budget proposal calls for some new spending as well as higher taxes on the wealthy and an estimated $4 trillion in deficit reduction. Employees stack copies of the budget for the 2013 fiscal year Thursday at the US ... Obama anchors budget on tax hikes for the rich Obama budget bets other concerns will trump deficit Obama Budget Bets Other Concerns Will Trump the Deficit |