Swan Hill Guardian Index: 1.5 Wednesday 5/3/2008 Brief: RMCRI Page 1 of 2 Page: 1 Section: General News Region: Swan Hill VIC Circulation: 4,385 Type: Regional Size: 516.96 sq.cms. Published: M-W-F-- Caution urged among sexually active youth of the district Teenage pregnancies up STORY and PHOTO: Justine McCullagh-Beasy LOCAL health experts are urging sexually active youth to be more cautious after it was revealed Swan Hill had one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the state. In an alarming trend, according to the figures, 15-19-year-olds count for 10 per cent of the town's pregnancies. significantly higher than the state average of 2.9 per cent. Socioeconomic issues, rising alcohol consumption and a lack of access to contraception are believed to be contributing factors to the rise. The figures coincide with a leading health expert's proposal of handing out the morning-after pill to girls at school without parental consent. Professor Susan Sawyer, director of can walk, but there should be condom attending university in Melbourne vending machines in schools. Not before the birth ofLincoln but has since having them there is condemning started on a new journey. "I've bought a house, become an certain kids to a life of drudgery." Although understanding the ideals assistant manager at the (Swan Hill) of certain religions. Dr Moynihan outdoor pool, got a diploma and we are said faith needed to take a backseat both happy and healthy," she said. when dealing with sexually active "Being a young mum is not the end of the world, it's just the beginning." teenagers. "I think churches should take a step Ms Van Liessum discovered she was backwards and that schools should pregnant in the March after finishing have condom vending machines and high school and while shocked, she said be able to make (more) contraceptive an embracing family made the journey much easier. advice to teenagers," he said. Dr Moynihan said while it was difficult "My uni and family were very positive. to discover an underlying factor for It was very welcome and they were all the percentage, where Swan Hill was excited about it. "It is hard work and I used to think rated second behind Central Goldfields on 14.5 per cent, the rates were of a it was just `little girls having babies' -you may start as a young girl but you the Victoria's Centre for Adolescent concern. Health, has called on nurses to be able "Is it ignorance. is it carelessness, turn into a woman overnight." to administer the oral contraceptive to and is there a characteristic in the Despite the odd glance from those in population here that leads to early the street. Ms Van Liessum said the those in need. general outlook from the public had President of Rural Doctors sexual activity? been positive. Association of Victoria and local GP, At is a bit difficult to fathom." Mike Moynihan, said he saw a large But while the statistics appear "I've had a few funny looks but not number of pregnant teenagers come daunting, April Van Liessum is proof many. Everyone has a right to their through the Swan Hill Medical Clinic. there is a bright side. He said introducing the morning-after While not as young as some to fall pill and condom vending machines pregnant in the area, the mother of onein high schools was a crucial step in year-old Lincoln said having a child at ensuring the region's youth had access 19 had pros and cons. opinion." Praising the help of the Swan Hill District Hospital midwifery and Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), Ms Van Liessum said the support "Everyone says you miss out on so on offer from local organisations was to important contraceptive measures. "Mildura and Swan Hill have always much, but we're just doing the opposite imperative. "The midwives were very good at the had high rates (of teenage pregnancy). (university later)," she said. I am not sure what that is due to," he "We'll grow up together and I'll know prenatal classes and the ABA don't care what he'll be up to. In this day and how old you are or what you look like. said. "You wouldn't have thought there was age it doesn't matter if you're young CONTINUED - Page 3 or old." any particular reason for it. "We don't want to run before we Ms Van Liessum, now 21. was Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy Ref: 34509806 Swan Hill Guardian Index: 1.5 Wednesday 5/3/2008 Brief: RMCRI Page 2 of 2 Page: 1 Section: General News Region: Swan Hill VIC Circulation: 4,385 Type: Regional Size: 516.96 sq.cms. Published: M-W-F-- MOTHER AND SON BOND: April Van Liessum gave birth to her son Lincoln when she was 19 Pregnancies increase FROM Page 1 "THEY are there 24 hours a day and were one of the best support (systems)... Swan Hill District Hospital's unit manager of midwifery Yvonne Penny said while the rates may appear high. the region's population must be taken into account. "It's a small jump because they are percentage figures and we work with low figures, so it doesn't take much for a jump," she said. The hospital's birth rate for 15-19 year olds in 2001 was 6.1 per cent. 6.3 per cent in 2002, 4.6 per cent in 2003, 5.2 per cent in 2004, 6.0 per cent in 2005 and rose to 9.7 per cent in 2006. Ms Penny said the 2006 figures equated to 23 births for that particular age group. She stressed there were numerous local organisations willing to help teenage mothers, fathers and cou- ples. "We have a program of support here which is run in conjunction with the Southern Mallee Family Services and is a joint process between the Department of Human Services, Mallee Family Care, Anglicare, St Luke's, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative and Sea Lake and District Health Service. "We have a project called Every Child, Every Chance and it is a support initiative to assist families who need extra support within the community." she said. Mallee Family Care manager Maurie Harris said the community centred organisation was on hand to help with pregnant teenagers who are referred to them, usually for emergency housing. Mr Harris, though, said they rarely dealt with teenage pregnancy. "Most cope pretty well and have a lot of backup and support," he said. "If they are referred to us we will take them on and help with their needs. whatever they may be. but we don't get many." Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy Ref: 34509806