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This section has been written for professionals working in Manchester. These pages are being developed and will, over time, contain much more useful information and additional downloads. Please contact us for more information Teenage pregnancy prevention and support Despite the best efforts of local organisations over recent times to work with young people to help them to put off parenthood until later in life, the number of under-18 conceptions in Manchester has remained high. In 2008, there were 538 conceptions to young women aged under 18. Having a child at an early age can damage young people's health and well-being and limit their education and economic prospects. While individual young people can be competent and loving parents, all the evidence suggests that teenage parents and their children experience a range of negative outcomes in childhood and later life. Reducing the under-18 conception rate remains one of the key priorities for the city. The Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is working to achieve a sustained downward trend in the number of under-18 conceptions, and to continue to provide support to pregnant teenagers and teenage parents. The Teenage Pregnancy Team is based in the Public Health Manchester team at Manchester City Council. The team coordinates teenage pregnancy prevention and support activities on behalf of the Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board. The Board is chaired by the Director of Public Health and Partnerships for NHS Manchester / Manchester City Council. Sexual Health The North West has one of the highest incidences of HIV, HIV-related illnesses, and sexually transmitted infections outside of London and the South East. A high proportion of infections are diagnosed in Manchester, to Manchester residents. NHS Manchester faces a considerable burden of preventable sexual ill-health among its resident population. Over the last decade, rates of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, genital herpes and genital warts have increased. This is, in part, due to better diagnoses, but is also the result of unsafe sexual behaviour. There has been several outbreaks of syphillis in the city over the last couple of decades. Manchester has well-resourced contraception, sexual health and abortion services. Despite this rates of unintended conceptions, abortions and repeat abortions are high. Manchester has the second highest under-18 conception rate in the country. NHS Manchester is seeking to improve the sexual health of the local population, and to reduce inequalities in sexual health between the general population and groups within the population at higher risk of poor sexual health. You can read more about how NHS Manchester is commissioning to improve sexual health by looking at the NHS Manchester Sexual Health Commissioning Strategy 2010 - 2013 The commissioning of sexual health services in Manchester is led by the Public Health Manchester team based at NHS Manchester. Last updated on 18th April 2011
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