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Social Justice
a Scotland where everyone matters
Indicators of Progress 2003

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

This milestone is measured by three indicators. The information on smoking by 13 and 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).

(a) Smoking among 13 and 15 year olds

Chart 11a shows that the percentage of all 13 and 15 year olds who reported regularly smoking has fluctuated between 14 and 21 per cent between 1982 and 2002. 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 drop in the levels of smoking, with the biggest decrease in the level of boys smoking. Information for 1982-1998, 2000 and 2002 has been derived from 3 different national surveys, so conclusions about these trends should be considered carefully. For 2002, information was collected 6 months later in the school year than for previous surveys, however the 2002 results are based on much larger sample sizes than previous years.

Chart 11a: Percentage of 13 and 15 year olds who are regular smokers

Source: Office of National Statistics (1982 - 1998); National Centre for Social Research (2000); Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, Edinburgh University (2002).

(b)Teenage Pregnancies (13-15 year olds)

Since 1997-99, the trend shows a fall in the number of pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 13 to 15. In 1997-99 the average (over 1997, 1998 and 1999) number of pregnancies per 1,000 females was 9.2 pregnancies, and the comparable rate for 1999-01 was 8.2. Between the mid 1980s and the mid 1990s, the rate of teenage pregnancies increased relatively steadily with a peak during the late 1990's.

Table 11b: Teenage Pregnancies: Females aged 13-15 years old : Three year average; rate per 1,000, 1985 - 2000

Carstairs Deprivation Quintiles

There is an association between teenage pregnancies and deprivation, with pregnancies in teenagers aged between 13 and 15 years of age being more likely in the most deprived quintile of postcode sectors. In 1999-01, the three year average was 13.4 pregnancies per 1,000 females living in the most deprived quintile, and the comparable rate for teenagers in the least deprived quintile was 4.2 pregnancies per 1,000 females. There is some evidence that the rate of teenage pregnancies in most deprived areas has decreased since 1997-99.

Urban Rural analysis

There are differences in the rate of teenage pregnancies between urban and rural areas. In 1999-01, the rate in large urban areas is close to 10 per 1,000 females aged between 13 and 15, and the comparable rate in rural areas is below 5 per 1,000.

(c) Suicides among 10-24 year olds

Since 1998 there have been fluctuations, but no clear trend in the overall suicide rate per 100,000 among 10 - 24 year olds. The 2001 rate is broadly comparable with the 1998 rate. However, there are clear differences in the trends for males and females. Young male suicides are now occurring at around 3 - 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. Suicides by young females have fluctuated over the years but have remained at a much lower level than for males.

Chart 11c: Rate of suicides per 100,000 people aged 10 to 24 years old : Three year average, 1976 - 2001

Sources: NHS Scotland Information and Statistics Division and General Register Office for Scotland

Carstairs Deprivation Quintiles

Males from deprived areas are 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 association with deprivation.

Urban Rural analysis

The suicide rates per 100,000 among 10 - 24 year olds in urban and rural areas are broadly similar.

Background Data

Table 11d: Percentage of 13 and 15 year olds who are regular smokers

Table 11e: Rate of pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 13 to 15 by Carstairs deprivation quintile Three year average (of financial years),

Table 11f: Rate of pregnancies per 1,000 females aged 13 to 15 by urban rural
Three year average (of financial years), 1999-2001

Table 11g: Suicides among 10 to 24 year olds: Three year averages, 1976 - 2001

Table 11h: Suicides among 10 to 24 year olds by Carstairs deprivation quintile:
Three year averages, for 2000-2002

Table 11i: Suicides among 10 to 24 year olds by urban rural:
Three year averages, for 2000-2002

Availability of data and references

Information on smoking among 13 and 15 year olds is available by gender at a national level every two years between 1982 and 2002 (excluding 1988). The Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit (CAHRU) of the University of Edinburgh published the interim results of the 2002 national survey along with results from previous years in early 2003.

Data on teenage pregnancies is available by financial year from 1984 to 2001 at a national level. Due to small numbers, information on teenage pregnancies is presented as three-year averages.

Due to small numbers, information on suicides are presented as three-year averages.

Scottish schools adolescent lifestyle and substance use survey 2002, interim report
www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/local/SALSUS1812.PDF

Scottish Health Statistics Teenage Pregnancy
http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/info3.jsp?pContentID=2092&p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&

Vital Events Reference Tables 2002, Section 6: Deaths - causes
www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/grosweb/grosweb.nsf/pages/02reference-table6

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