Rise in ABR 'a big problem' - Herbosa

 

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa

The current Adolescent Birth Rate (ABR) in the Philippines is "a big problem" said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa as it has even surpassed pre-pandemic numbers.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Herbosa said that in 2022, the number increased to 59.34 in the under 15 years old category per 100,000 pregnancies; from just 40 in 2017.

The number in 2019 before COVID-19 struck worldwide was 46. It declined in 2020 at 39.39 but then rose again the following year to 44.06.

"Childhood pregnancies contribute significantly to maternal mortality," Herbosa said in an interview at the 2024 National Conference on Family Planning.

The reason is that many, if not most, of pregnant adolescents tend to hide their condition and so they don't seek pre-natal checkups and other necessary health care. They are also prone to eclampsia and hemmorhage at child birth.

Additionally, the rise in ABR in the Philippines is linked to the increase in the number of teenagers getting infected with HIV.

Herbosa cited several factors behind the trend.

"More children are exposed to the internet which has a big influence on the their sexual behavior," he said. "Then there's peer pressure."

The secretary added that some of those frim the lower socio-economic class "gusto magasawa para makatakas sa poverty."

Another factor likely involves their religious or personal background. That is, some of them only want natural means of family planning, and not use modern contraceptives.

Herbosa prefers to call it childhood pregnancy instead of teenage pregnancy. He said that getting pregnant between 10 to 16 years old is "technically statury rape" and he plans to "make that reportable."

He wants to address even pregnancies up to 18 years old, saying that according to the World Health Organization, "anyone below 19 years old is considered a child."

"(That's why) I refuse to use the term teenage pregnancy because it sounds tolerant," he said. "I'm not tolerant."

A report relating to the ABR from PSA shows that the numbers "may be suggestive of the rise in abuse to children" or possible advancement in the reporting.