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Indicators of progress: Definitions, data, baseline and trends information

Milestone 11: Improving the health of young people through reductions in smoking by 12-15 year olds, teenage pregnancies among 13-15 year olds and the rate of suicides among young people

Indicators

This milestone is measured by three indicators. The information on smoking by 12 to 15 year olds is taken from the biennial series of national surveys on smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in Scotland. The Information and Statistics Division (ISD) of the National Health Service in Scotland provides the data on teenage pregnancies (13-15 year olds). The General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) provide the information on suicides (10-24 year olds).

Availability of data

Information on smoking among 12 to 15 year olds is available by gender at a national level every two years between 1982 and 2000 (excluding 1988). The Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit (CAHRU) of the University of Edinburgh will be publishing the results of the next in this series of national surveys, Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS) 2002, early in 2003. Data on teenage pregnancies is available by financial year from 1984 to 2000 at a national level. Due to small numbers, information on teenage pregnancies is presented as three-year averages. Additional information on teenage pregnancies has not been made available in time for this report. Figures for 2001 will be available late in 2002. An additional year of information has been added for suicide rates. It should be noted that the age range has changed from previous reports from 11-24 year olds to 10-24 year olds. This is to allow further analyses to be comparable due to the availability of population data in 5-year age bands (e.g. analyses by deprivation groups). Due to small numbers, figures on suicides are presented as three-year averages.

Analyses by Carstairs deprivation quintiles are presented for teenage pregnancies and suicides. An analysis of urban and rural areas and Social Inclusion Partnership areas will not be possible until the relevant population estimates are available (from the 2001 Census). Disaggregation by ethnicity and disability is not currently available.

Smoking among 12-15 year olds

Chart 11a shows that the percentage of 12 to 15 year olds who reported regularly smoking has fluctuated between 10 and 16 per cent. In general, girls appear to be more likely to smoke than boys of the same age. Compared to the baseline figure in 1998, there has been a small drop in the levels of smoking (due entirely to the decrease in the level of boys smoking), although further information is required to determine whether this is a continuation of the long term trend or a fluctuation.

Chart 11a: Percentage of 12-15 year olds who are regular smokers

Source: ONS (1982 - 1998); National Centre for Social Research (2000)

Teenage Pregnancies (13-15 year olds)

Chart 11b shows that, between the mid 1980s and the mid 1990s, the rate of teenage pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 13 to 15 increased relatively steadily. Since then, the rate has flattened out at around 9 pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 13 to 15. The latest figure shows a slight fall.

Chart 11b: Teenage Pregnancies: Females aged 13-15 years old : Three year average; rate per 1,000

Source: Information and Statistics Division : National Health Service in Scotland

Carstairs Deprivation Quintiles

Chart 11c shows the relationship between teenage pregnancies and deprivation. Pregnancies in teenagers aged between 13 and 15 years of age are more likely in the most deprived quintile of postcode sectors.

Chart 11c: Teenage Pregnancies : Rate per 1,000 females aged 13-15 : Three year average by deprivation quintile

Source: Information and Statistics Division : National Health Service in Scotland

Suicides among 10-24 year olds

Chart 11d shows the generally rising trend (3 year averages) in suicides among young people aged 10 to 24 years old since the mid 1980's. There are clear differences in the trends for males and females. Young male suicides are now occurring at around 4 times the level of that for young females. In 1976 the suicide rate was much closer between the sexes. Young male suicides have generally increased year on year since 1976 with a temporary reversal of this upward trend between 1994 and 1997. The latest 3 year average (1999, 2000 and 2001) figure for males is the highest over the 25 year period. Suicides by young females have fluctuated over the years but have remained at a much lower level than for males. It is too early to say whether the slight fall in the rate of suicides for young females in the latest 3 year average (1999, 2000 and 2001) is a sign of an improving trend as the numbers involved are small.

Chart 11d: Rate of suicides per 100,000 people aged 10 to 24 years old : Three year average

Source: Information and Statistics Division : National Health Service in Scotland
General Register Office for Scotland

Deprivation Category

Chart 11e shows that males from deprived areas are much more likely to commit suicide than those from the least deprived areas. For females, the rates are substantially lower and there does not appear to be such a strong connection with deprivation.

Chart 11e: Suicide rate among teenagers and young people aged 10 to 24 years old : Rate per 100,000 by deprivation quintile, 2000 mid year of three year average

Source: Information and Statistics Division : National Health Service in Scotland
General Register Office for Scotland

Background Data

Table 11f : Percentage of 12-15 year olds who are regular smokers

Source: Smoking, drinking and drug use among teenagers in 1998 (Office for National Statistics); Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in Scotland in 2000 (National Centre for Social research & National Foundation for Educational Research

Table 11g: Rate of pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 13 to 15 (three year average of financial years)

Source: Information and Statistics Division : National Health Service in Scotland

Table 11h: Suicides among 10 to 24 year olds: Three year averages

Source: Information and Statistics Division : National Health Service in Scotland
General Register Office for Scotland

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