GIRLS AS YOUNG AS 14 ON THE PILL

GIRLS as young as 14 are being prescribed contraceptives within the Banbridge district.

The findings come alongside the news that a 13-year-old local girl is soon to be a mother.

There has been "a significant increase" in the number of young teenagers - aged between 14 and 16 - seeking advice on sex and contraceptive methods in recent years, one local GP said.

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The teen's mother warned of the devastating impact a young pregnancy can have on a girl and her family, and called for more young people's groups to get together to tackle the issue.

"It is such a family matter - it needs to be the whole family that deals with it," she told the Leader. "It doesn't just affect the baby's parents. It affects all the family members."

The woman, who did not wish to be named to protect her daughter's identity, said the news came as a shock but also raised concerns that young people still do not want to talk to adults about sex and relationships.

"My own daughter said 'Mummy I couldn't tell you'," said the mother-of-two. "She was so afraid. I told her never to be afraid to tell me anything but it just shows that no matter who it is, young people don't want to talk to adults about this sort of thing, whether it's their parent or someone else. They just feel uncomfortable."

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Figures released from the UK-wide GP research database earlier this month showed a five-fold increase in the number of 11 and 12-year-old girls on the pill in the past decade.

A Dromore GP, while stating the increase has not been as dramatic locally, said she has welcomed more young teens to come and seek advice at the town's surgery.

"A lot more young people are availing of the services we offer here," said Doctor Eileen Atchison, who has worked in the surgery for the past 25 years.

"Over the last five or so years I would say there has been an increase in the number of teenagers aged between 14 and 16 who come to the surgery seeking contraception, as well as for chlamydia testing."

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The family planning services offered at Dromore Surgery include both the contraceptive pill and the contraceptive implant - both of which Dr Atchison has prescribed to young teens.

"Most girls who come to seek advice have probably made a decision already," she said. "I just love when the teens do come in and ask for help. It shows that they are being sensible about it."

But Dr Atchison said the decision to prescribe a form of contraception to a young person is not taken lightly.

"If they are under-age we always remind them of the age of consent and we always advise them to talk it through with their parents," she said.

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"We also remind them of the increased risks of cervical cancer for example, and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases."

While teen pregnancy is very much an issue across the UK, where the rate remains the highest in Europe, Dr Atchison believes making more services available to young people can help to tackle the problem.

"I think it's about trying to create a non-judgemental atmosphere for young girls who want to come and talk to us in a safe environment," said Dr Atchison.

"Young people are so much more aware now - whether it's through the sex education they get at school or through the media. And I think this is an area where we really have an opportunity to help people."

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