[lettie]

I remember there being a certain stigma attatched to coming home pregnant as a teenager and none of us would dare do it. The threat of that stigma (and a good hiding from yer dad) made you careful.

I also remember the awful stigma attatched to having HIV in the 80's, where ignorant people proclaimed it as 'the gay plague' or Ar$e Infected Death Sentence....It was awful and has thankfully come a long way. People are more educated about HIV, especially the people who were around at the outbreak. The government had their large campaign, but most of us who are interested have largely educated ourselves.

The only thing with attatching stigma to a certain condition or disease, is that it prevents people from seeking treatment or help. Whether that be antenatal check ups for a pregnant 14 year old or life prolonging treatment for somebody who is HIV positive, any kind of stigma attatched deters treatment.

All of our research shows that pregnant teenagers are far more likely to suffer complications such as pre- eclampsia (which is fatal to both mum and infant). This condition is detectable by regular check ups and pre- eclampsia can be treated. Mortality rates are higher for very young mothers as well as very old mothers. Stigmatising teenage pregnancy would only push the maternal mortality rate up again.

The government know this and that it why they are providing all this care and extra money etc. for teenagers. One of the benchmarks for health services in any country is maternal mortality, and ours is relatively low, which to the outside world makes our services look good..