Teen pregnancy rate doubles the world average: UN
Santo Domingo.- The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) says 105 of every 1,000 teenagers become pregnant in Dominican Republic, much higher than the world average of 49.
UNFPA Deputy Representative Sonia Vazquez on Thursday said 22.1% of Dominican teenagers have been or are pregnant and also revealed that over 50% of those, whether married or cohabiting, aren?t using family planning methods.
According to Vazquez that rate is significantly higher in the provinces of Azua, with 37%; Bahoruco, with 35%, and Santiago, 29%. She said Independencia, San Cristobal, La Romana, Montecristi, Dajab?n, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo also have higher teen pregnancy rates.
The percentage of teens who?ve been pregnant at some time in big cities is 18.9%, while in rural areas it?s 24.2%.
In that regard, the impoverished Enriquillo Region (Bahoruco, Independencia, Pedernales and Barahona provinces) is 33%, or triple the teen pregnancy percentage in the Cibao-Northwest Region (Montecristi, Dajab?n, Santiago Rodr?guez and Valverde) which is 11.4 %.
The figures were presented during press conference at the local UN headquarters, as part of the activities to mark World Population Day.
Source: DT
Santo Domingo.- The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) says 105 of every 1,000 teenagers become pregnant in Dominican Republic, much higher than the world average of 49.
UNFPA Deputy Representative Sonia Vazquez on Thursday said 22.1% of Dominican teenagers have been or are pregnant and also revealed that over 50% of those, whether married or cohabiting, aren?t using family planning methods.
According to Vazquez that rate is significantly higher in the provinces of Azua, with 37%; Bahoruco, with 35%, and Santiago, 29%. She said Independencia, San Cristobal, La Romana, Montecristi, Dajab?n, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo also have higher teen pregnancy rates.
The percentage of teens who?ve been pregnant at some time in big cities is 18.9%, while in rural areas it?s 24.2%.
In that regard, the impoverished Enriquillo Region (Bahoruco, Independencia, Pedernales and Barahona provinces) is 33%, or triple the teen pregnancy percentage in the Cibao-Northwest Region (Montecristi, Dajab?n, Santiago Rodr?guez and Valverde) which is 11.4 %.
The figures were presented during press conference at the local UN headquarters, as part of the activities to mark World Population Day.
Source: DT