High rate of teenage pregnancies
Malta with smallest annual number of births in EU's 27 countries
Malta has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the EU, according to a new report comparing data on maternal and infant health across the continent for the first time.
The European Perinatal Health Report (EPHR) says that Malta had a teenage delivery rate of 5.8 per cent of all women who gave birth in 2004, which is the year for which data were collected.
This places it in seventh place alongside Poland among 25 EU states and Norway. The lowest rate was registered in Denmark (1.3 per cent) and the highest in Latvia (9.3 per cent).
For the purposes of the report, a low proportion of births to teenage mothers was defined as below three per cent and those in the intermediate position between three and five per cent. Malta falls in the last category with a relatively high rate.
At the other end of the scale, a total of 11.7 per cent of women were registered as delivering at 35 years or older in Malta when compared to 7.5 per cent in Slovakia and 24.3 per cent in Ireland. The figure for Malta is among the lowest in Europe.
The Euro-Peristat (perinatal statistics) report notes that both early and late childbearing are associated with higher-than-average rates of preterm birth, growth restriction and perinatal (before and after birth) mortality.
"Increased risks for younger mothers have been associated with social and healthcare factors, including lack of antenatal care, unwanted or hidden pregnancies, poor nutrition and lower social status. Older mothers have a higher prevalence of pregnancy complications, including some congenital anomalies, hypertension and diabetes."
Smoking during pregnancy has also been associated with birth problems and, according to the report, 7.2 per cent of women in Malta reported smoking during pregnancy.
"This is a comparatively low rate and may be an underestimate as many women are reluctant to report smoking habits at their antenatal visits when this information is collected," the report notes. The highest rate reported was 22 per cent for Wales and the lowest 4.8 per cent for Lithuania.
When comparing instrumental with non-instrumental births, the rate of vaginal non-instrumental births in Malta was 67.8 per cent of total births. This rate varied in the different countries, ranging from 82.8 per cent in Slovenia to 53.8 per cent in Portugal.
Meanwhile, 3.8 per cent of total births were instrumental vaginal deliveries including forceps, ventouse and breech extractions while the rest, 28.3 per cent, were births by Caesarean section.
The rate of newborns breastfed in the first 48 hours was reported as 68.4 per cent for Malta. Only four centres reported lower rates: Ireland (45.6 per cent), France (62.3 per cent), Northern Ireland (63 per cent) and Wales (67 per cent). The highest rate was reported in Sweden at 97.9 per cent.
Malta had the smallest annual number of births reported among all participating countries.
The report notes that a small number of events, especially rare ones, makes comparisons with other countries difficult. Another difficulty when making country comparisons is the fact that in Malta induced abortion for foetal anomalies is illegal and thus, infants with potentially fatal conditions will reach delivery and pass away soon after birth.
The neonatal mortality (number of deaths up to 28 completed days of birth) was 4.4 per 1,000 live births for Malta. The highest was 5.7 for Latvia and the lowest 1.6 for Cyprus).
Infant mortality (number of deaths following live birth and until one year of age) for Malta was reported at 5.9 per 1,000 live births. The highest was 9.4 for Latvia and the lowest three for Sweden and Norway.
Maternal deaths are rare events in all EU countries and Malta did not register any in 2003 or 2004.
The full report can be viewed on www.europeristat.com.
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Marianna Galea Xuereb
Dec 13th 2008, 18:40
…….(continued) Most current teenage and even much older single mums in the Maltese Islands may be lazy and parasitic but they are certainly not stupid. They realize that with current local laws being what they are, official single parent families are financially better off independent of whether the parent(s) work(s) or not. That is why they deliberately chose NOT to get married but rather to “engineer” getting pregnant – even repeatedly - in order to milk the social security system as well as many NGOs and well meaning individuals for all they are worth. Yes, better and fuller sex education is essential but it will not prevent planned single parent pregnancies. Only true social justice and changes in current local laws can achieve that. Perversely our nation actively fights against racial, gender etc. discrimination but totally ignores blatant and obscene discrimination against married people and “married families”.
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Dec 13th 2008, 18:40
…….(continued) Yes, in Malta a totally spoilt, lazy and irresponsible 14 year old who has never done a single day’s honest work in her life – let alone paid social security contributions – is entitled to full social security benefits, subsidized housing etc (so long as she is smart enough to claim the “unknown father” excuse) and to all manner of help in order to keep and “bring up” her child (who will thus most likely grow up to be a pure parasite like the role model mum) whilst a married person or parent who has paid social security contributions for God knows how many years to help sustain pensions, unemployment benefits etc. for other people is deprived of his/her fair share of unemployment benefits when he/she is unfortunate enough to become redundant whilst the relevant spouse is working…(to be continued)
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Dec 13th 2008, 18:38
Maltese sex education policy certainly lacks substance but the greatest scandal is the discrimination against married people.
Up to now my husband and I worked full time AND paid income tax AND full social security contributions for a full 54 years between us. (My husband has worked for 30 and I worked for almost 25 years before I lost my job in 2004 through absolutely no fault of my own).
My husband was made redundant around 6 years ago while I was still employed. He was informed that he was not entitled to receive any social security benefit – despite having himself worked and paid NI contributions for over 24 years by then - because he had a wife who earned more than the minimum wage. Thankfully my husband found another job less than a year later but since we made the romantic mistake of getting married many years ago (rather than intelligently co-habiting) our nation’s perverse social justice system has deemed it fit to deprive our family of the full unemployment benefits (at least over 70 euros per week) that I should have been pocketing regularly for almost five years by now… (to be continued)
Paul Barrett
Dec 13th 2008, 18:08
@ john fenech (and others here)
I really do find it difficult when I give praise to the citizens of Malta and it is treated as a criticism. The praise is that their is a strong belief in the protection of life and indeed laws to support that belief. These beliefs and laws show up in the statistics which are buried by other countries because undoubtedly "the morning after pill" which is a form of abortion would not show up in the calculations.
john fenech
Dec 13th 2008, 13:18
Mr. Barrett while it seems that you do not advocate abortion. But my interpretation of the last sentence of your first contribution is; that since other countries have easy access to termination the number of teenage pregnancies are less. Therefore from that argument one deduct that our problem will be less acute if we had the morning after pill or abortion! Whether you agree with termination or not that is how it comes across.
While I sympathise with our teenagers because of the social and economical burdens they have to face. On the other hand by believing that sex is an adventure or a fling of the moment than they are stacking more problems their way. If you cannot control your instincts make sure that you will protect yourself from getting into an unattainable situation. If you are not sure how ask for responsible advice. But above all please respect yourself so others will respect you.
M. Mercieca
Dec 13th 2008, 12:11
@ all
Is society with future generation constitutes 25-30 % kids born either of unknown fathers or single parents healthy society?
I am not to defend what the Church says, but I am just thinking logic.
@ R. Bartolo
Sex education is a great thing and it’s a must, but animals-style sex life is disastrous. (My apology goes to animals)
Gerry Cowie
Dec 13th 2008, 12:05
@ R Bartolo - Paul Barrett has clarified his point in respect of abortion.
Nevertheless, never being one to let the subject of abortion go by, I trust that nobody else will attempt to "hijack" this thread by throwing people off the scent in respect of this very important topic.
Related or not, any supporter and respecter of human life will take every opportunity to defend it and speak out against abortion.
Therefore I am more than happy to "hijack" this thread!
Paul Barrett
Dec 13th 2008, 09:22
For some reason some of those that have read my comment below seem to think that I said I am pro or advocating the use of abortion or the morning after pill. I DO NOT. What my comment does say is that the statistics are distorted by the none availability of them in Malta. If they were not available elsewhere, their negative figures would be as bad or worse than in Malta.
Josepb Bartolo
Dec 13th 2008, 09:12
I just want to say the problem will not stop unless one is in union with the almighty creator. For God created Sex for two people to love and not lust for eachother. As Love is true and serious and lust is as one may put it, just for the moment. My goodness when will we ever learn, life is so very precious, pre ordained by almighty God when he said to our first parents, Be fruitful and muntiply ! He didnt say just do it for fun and dont take full responcibilty. Wht should the child be aborted because of the couples mis-use of there fertile gifts, provided by the almighty. Please be responcible for LIFE is so very precious in deed.
Miriam Cassar
Dec 13th 2008, 08:42
This news is no surprise; especially since the Education Departments' policies with regard to Sexual Education, are still dictated to by the Maltese Church (do you remember how the Univ. students were stopped when they wanted to start a campaign in Maltese schools, on the correct use of the condom, a few years ago?).
And also, we don't have this subject because the majority of Maltese parents have never challenged how the PSE (Personal and Social Education) subject, which is supposed to teach Sexual Education, has not delivered.
Whenever I had the opportunity to voice my concern re. this subject; (during parents' seminar etc.), I have found no support whatever from other parents.
Pressure groups have worked in the environment sector, and it has turned out to be the most effective tool. We direly need a pressure group to work in the best interest of the Maltese child.
It is the Right of the Child to be educated and informed about Sexual Education,, and other subjects and issues which directly concern him/her.
R. Bartolo
Dec 13th 2008, 01:58
Condoms are unavailable on university campus.Students cannot obtain them from where they spend most of their time. Is this justifyable?
In seconday schools sex education is left to a minimum, and with a Catholic bias. This is unfair for kids,who have a right for all sides of what sex means.It's not healthy to make them feel like sex is dirty.You expect this to just dissapear on their wedding night?
I'm not blaming the Church solely for this,but most of the blame is theirs.
Being horny at teenage is a healthy sign.If anyone wasn't, that would mean something was wrong.However I'm not against self-discipline.
People are still having sex,whether you acknowlegde it or not.Not educating them is irresponsable,and dangerous,due to STDs and pregnancies.
When you look abroad, you see that where they only teach abstinence,they have most teenage pregnancies.Take Alaska; Palin was so proud of having only abstinence taught in her state.Then her underage daughter got pregnant...
People are having sex.Get used to it.It is just that the informed ones know how to protect themselves.
Also,don't hijack this thread with your meaningless discussions about abortion.No one is changing his mind,so stop wasting everyone's time.
Vince Mercieca
Dec 12th 2008, 21:46
Why is Malta always amongst the top in negative news when compared to our EU partners?
Gerry Cowie
Dec 12th 2008, 19:28
According to Times report re Boffa Hospital, young people are choosing not to use protection in ever increasing numbers.
The sarcasm of the R Bartolo is rather childish! There is nothing "brainwashing" about encouraging abstinence and self control.
Don't knock religion for giving a lead in the arena of self control and abstinence. Just because religion may promote these ideals does not make them unworthy!
The thing is that people do not think of the consequences of what they do and are unaware that with the right to do whatever you want comes the obligation to think of those consequences and how they might affect others.
Paul Barrett, why is the "morning after" ill the answer? Abortion is not a contraceptive!
philip pace
Dec 12th 2008, 19:00
While agreeing to what Mr.Mark Grima wrote I would go further by mentioning that a 100% drive was made towards drugs, alcohol, smoking etc but nothing was concentrated on a PROPER sexual education due to the fact that some pious moralists would intervene as they confound what the Roman Catholic Church says about the using of contraceptions to that to the daily life's realities.
I feel and think that where sex is concerned we still stuck in the middle ages as it is still a taboo subject. That happened in the 'religious 1960s' but not the 2000s where a lot of right information can be found on the media.
I have read that some smart bloggers think that these unwanted pregnancies are made on purpose so that one can draw the benefits from the Government.
It is far from that.
It could be coming from a lot of things which includes ignorance, stupidity, forced sex and I would even state rape.
So I ask these smart bloggers what positive solution can you offer as you are so sure about these unwanted pregnancies?
And of course the Government should make a drive towards this, just to EDUCATE!
James De Giorgio
Dec 12th 2008, 18:24
That means we don't abort. It's true there is a problem due to the high rate of teenage pregnancies. On the other hand, our teenagers seem ready to face up to responsabilities and challenges. Personally, I look at a "hero" whenever I see a young single mother pushing a push-chair. That mother values life above the concept of being comfortable (hence aborting). I have asked several such mothers about how they feel about their child and all were always happy about them, notwithstanding the challenges.
giannella attard
Dec 12th 2008, 17:48
I surely agree with Mr Mercieca who has pointed out that the social benefits given to "single mothers" play a significant role in the decision one takes whether or not to marry and bring up a family in the traditional way or rather to co-habitat and enjoy all the beneits of still having a partner, with another income yet enjoying the benefits the government is giving to such mothers. When my kids were too young for me to go out to work and relatively speaking are still young today ( 12 yrs to 5 yrs), I had to solve my own financial situation as because I was married, the governemnt did not choose to help me out financially. SO i must admit that today, crazy as it might sound, I would rather co-habitat than marry - it is a very practical way of living - enjoying the luxury of my partner's income PLUS that given to me by the government apart from probably still working, for as the situation is when the children are school age, thus the mother (even if honestly single ) can go to work, she still gets the benefits.
Please Government wake up to this reality.
M. Mercieca
Dec 12th 2008, 17:06
Minister T. Fenech could provide a solution.
Money (social benefit) in this case, is the key word.
In last budget Minister Fenech suggested Long-term unemployed to do community work, this is a very good step forward. Hopefully, in the coming budget we will have some tough measures for single parents. If such measures implemented co-habitations and irresponsible sexual-relation would be discouraged. Unless we tackle all these social disease and all forms of abuses the whole system will collapse!
Mark Grima
Dec 12th 2008, 16:57
This is a damning indictment of Maltese sex education policy, which seems more concerned with satisfying the superstitions of the pious amongst us, rather than tackling the problem in an effective manner. The Gift of Life held a seminar recently aimed at giving guidance to teachers on sex education. Needless to say the message was "abstinence, abstinence, abstinence", with a little bit of "condoms don't work" thrown in. The seminar was addressed by Lawrence Gonzi, and the head of the Cana movement. This situation would be hilarious if it wasn't so tragic.
Mr.J.Rogers
Dec 12th 2008, 16:39
I understand that Malta has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies, i like to know what you people in malta are feeding your kids, i wish i know, it would save me a few bob on Viagra i guess, in any case this shows clearly that the Maltese teenages are in a good normal state of health same as any other teen in the world,i say good luck to them all, just be careful and get advice from the local GP. failing that follow the example of the Dutch and that is by learning about the advantages and disadvantages of bringing up kids at an early age and outside wedlock.
Anders Johnsson
Dec 12th 2008, 16:38
How come im not surprised! After living in Malta for över 10 years I have never heard about proper sexual education, how many of you had to learn how to put/roll on a condom at school? How many girls dares to go to the doctor and ask for "THE PILL" if you are under 18, as the doctor probably wants to have a chat with your mum about it or just give you THAT look! Religion nor laws can stop teens from having sex, lets face it, sex is FUN. you do it, i do it, everyone does it (well almost) so the only way is to to educate, Please dont, but if you have too... Make sure to use protection!!! And that should obvisouly be informed by mum, dad and the schools!
Just a small on abortions... I am not for nor against but think that there is situations where it is needed, take rape as an extreme... As late as last year i knew a girl that "went abroad to study for a year..." well Gozo is not abroad and being pregnant is not to study even though you learn a lot in the way. SHAMEFUL!
I. Galea
Dec 12th 2008, 15:45
@ paul barrett...
sure, abortion would be a fantastic deterrent...as it probably has been in other countries. "let's have sex! no need for protection - if i end up pregnant, i could easily kill the baby!"
give me a break.
john fenech
Dec 12th 2008, 15:32
So Mr Barrett in your world two wrongs makes a perfect solution. So let’s have the morning after pill or an abortion so our teenagers get all the fun and damn the consequences so than we will compare favourable with other countries! Is that what you will teach your children if you will have any?
It will make sense if our teenagers were thought first to respect themselves and as a last resort if you are going to do it protect yourself. That way at least we will mitigate a high percentage of our rampant problems.
Simon, what the hell has religion got to do with all of this; I am sure that most of the teenagers know that a condom is not a Christmas decoration, and are well acquainted with the possibilities arising from sex. The problem is they do not really belief that it will happen to them. Or else it might boil down that all my friends are doing it if I will not than I will be labelled as an old fashioned mummy’s girl!
H Gatt
Dec 12th 2008, 14:19
@Simon Micallef
It is easy to take pot shots at the Church on such an issue. It is not easy however to stare reality in the face, and that reality is that condoms are inexpensive and easily available, not just at pharmacists but in practically each and every bar and nightclub in Paceville and other places frequented by youths and teens. So really at this stage, who is to blame? Those who against all odds try to educate? Or rather is it those who are careless enough to keep on experimenting with unprotected sex despite knowing of the wide availability of condoms?
Paul Barrett
Dec 12th 2008, 12:45
Actually the difference here is not so much the sexual activity or education but rather the absolute lack of availability (locally) of obtaining "the morning after pill" and other means of abortion which are easily available in other countries.
If the other countries had the same rules and belief, their "statistics" would probably be very much greater than Malta.
Joanne Micallef
Dec 12th 2008, 12:27
Personally I don’t think that the church plays such a major role regarding this issue, it is more a problem of lack of self respect and irresponsibility. At this day and age most of our teenagers know exactly how to avoid not only unwanted pregnancies but also serious STD's, unfortunately though many still prefer to play Russian roulette with their lives and continue to have unprotected sex.
R.Farrugia
Dec 12th 2008, 11:08
As usual we Maltese try to blame the Church and government for any wrongdoing that takes place when the real fault lies with some irresponsable citizens. With all the media propaganda and the many learning opportunities nowadays, teenagers should be more responsable during their sexual hobbies. But they found out that there are substancial financial gains for single mothers. This is one of the latest tricks with social benefits. If the government make strickter regulations on these single mothers, the percentage would immediately drop. Its a shame that almost a thousand teenagers became single parents in just one year. Something is wrong somewhere. To make matters worse, nowadays these single parents purposely refrain from identifying the man involved in the pregancy. Obviously to have more than one social benefit. Racket!!
Simon Micallef
Dec 12th 2008, 10:20
Oh What a surprise but please do not mention the word condom in schools or else the Curia will be offended, but as we are seeing in this country, Cattolicissima Malta, people from early teens to old age are having sex. The lack of teaching in schools of sex education and using of contraceptives is an act of irresponsabilty from the Education Department and from the institutions which give them the orders,
R. Bartolo
Dec 12th 2008, 09:42
So the brainwash of abstinence and lack of proper sex education is not working?
What a surprise!