1,188 adolescent pregnancies recorded in N.Sembilan from 2010-2013

A total of 1,188 cases of pregnancy among 10 to 19-year-old girls have been recorded between 2010 and 2013 in Negeri Sembilan, says state health director Datuk Dr Zailan Adnan.

She said of the total, 571 or 48 percent of the girls involved were unmarried.

"Among the factors that contributed to adolescent sexual and reproductive issues are lack of knowledge and skills about sexual and reproductive health.

"Apart from that, peer pressure, family conflicts, lack of religious knowledge and the influence of information technology, Internet and globalisation, are also the factors that contributed to this serious problem," she said.

Dr Zailan said this at the Negeri Sembilan Health Fatwa Education Seminar 2014 in Seremban, Thursday, which was also attended by State Mufti Datuk Mohd Yusuf Ahmad.

The seminar, which was jointly organised by the State Health Department, Mufti Department and Islamic Religious Department, was officially opened by State Assembly Speaker Datuk Dr Awaludin Said.

Dr Zailan said in view of the rising rate of adolescent pregnancy, the Health Ministry had prepared a Handbook for Handling Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Issues at Health Clinic, by taking into consideration the aspects of law, ethics, rights, religion and socio-culture.

Meanwhile, Awaludin, in his speech said it was hoped that the seminar would become the platform for relevant agencies to intensify efforts to provide to the public greater understandings on official fatwa (edict) on health issues.

"Three main issues to be discussed at the seminar are smoking habit, vaccination and abortion," he said.