High Rate Of Teen Births

Saturday, October 27th 2007, 3:00 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new study says Oklahoma has the 12th-highest percentage in the United States for repeat births to teenage mothers. The study by the nonpartisan organization Child Trends was based on 2004 data. It says 21% of births to Oklahoma teens between the ages of 15 and 19 were to those who already were
mothers.

The Oklahoma Health Department data noted that more than half of adolescent mothers were not using birth control at the time of conception.

Health Department data indicates that each year, about 6,700 babies born in Oklahoma are to teenagers.

Anita Fream, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma made several recommendations, including contraception. Fream says teenage childbearing has negative implications for both mothers and children.