PAGO PAGO (Samoa News/PINA) — American Samoa is rated the second highest in the Pacific islands for teen-age pregnancies, according to a report issued in the territory.
It has a 9 percent pregnancy rate among young females aged 15 to 19, Public Health’s American Samoa Coalition for Teen Pregnancy and Family Planning statistics said.
The report was issued as Gov. Tauese Sunia declared April as Teen Pregnancy and Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Month.
The statistics reveal the number of teen-agers aged 11 to 19 who gave birth from 1992 to 2000.
In 1996, an 11-year-old gave birth to a baby.
In 1993 and 1995, 12-year-olds were recorded giving birth.
According to the statistics, in 2000, 8.3 percent of all American Samoa births were from teen-age girls and of these girls one was 13 and two were 14.
The Coalition for Teen Pregnancy and Family Planning report said that babies born to young mothers have a higher risk of serious health problems. Physical and mental defects affect many babies born to very young women.
According to the report, two out of three pregnant teen-agers drop out of school, and with her education cut short, the teen-age mother may lack job skills.
“Teen-age mothers are at greater risk of socio-economic disadvantage throughout their lives than those who delay childbearing until their 20s.”
It stated that the teen-age mother may become financially dependent on her parents and families.
The report also claimed that the death rate from pregnancy complications is much higher among girls who give birth under the age 15 than among older mothers.
Unfortunately, during the first three months of pregnancy, seven out of 10 pregnant teen-agers do not see a doctor or go to a clinic, it said.
In addition, the teen-age mother is more likely to be undernourished and suffer from premature births or prolonged labor.
“The teen-age mothers have special problems, physically and emotionally,” said the report. It added that “poor eating habits, smoking, alcohol and drugs increase the risk of having a baby with health problems.”
Tauese said American Samoa authorities are committed to involving churches, businesses, media, parents, agencies, educational institutions, policy makers and health providers in the campaign
