Berlin, September 26, 2007 Launched today by Mischa Barton, a successful Hollywood actress, together with a host of NGOs, World Contraception Day is the first-ever international awareness campaign aiming to reduce the high levels of unintended pregnancy that occurs every year. This campaign is fronted by the global sexual and reproductive health agency Marie Stopes International (MSI), the European Society of Contraception (ESC), Centro Latinamerico Salud de la Mujer (CELSAM), the International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (FIGIJ), the Asia Pacific Council on Contraception (APCOC) and supported by Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Worldwide, 80 million women have unintended pregnancies and 20 million women risk abortion. 68,000 of these women will die as a result.1 This is a major problem of developed as well as of developing countries. Of the 28 million pregnancies occurring every year in the industrialized countries, an estimated 49% are unplanned, and 36% end in abortion.1
World Contraception Day is a long-term campaign aimed at all women and men of reproductive age. Your Life, a brand developed specifically for World Contraception Day, is the overarching theme of the campaign. In 2007, the focus is on young adults under the strapline ‘Live your life before you start another’. Research has shown that the greatest educational need lies amongst young adults with a recent report identifying that 1 in every 10 births is to a mother who is still a child herself.2 The theme for 2007 aims to appeal directly to young adults, to emphasise the importance of choosing to become a parent, rather than it happening by chance. World Contraception Day aims to equip these young people with the information and knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
“ World Contraception Day is a much-needed campaign to highlight the importance of enabling women and men to make informed decisions about becoming parents at a time that’s right for them. Unintended pregnancy is a widespread and under-recognised problem, not just in low-income countries but in the developed world as well. In fact, of the 28 million pregnancies in the developed world each year, 49% are unintended and 36% of those end in abortions. ” Dana Hovig, Chief Executive, Marie Stopes International.
At an official launch event in Berlin to mark the inauguration of World Contraception Day, representatives from NGOs around the world and actress Mischa Barton spoke out about the global impact of low contraception awareness. Young people were urged to
use contraception to ensure that they are fully protected against an unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“ I know that I feel too young to have a child and many people my age probably feel the same. I want to encourage all young people to follow their aspirations and live their lives to the full. They should only have a baby when they are ready and not by chance. Every child should be wanted. That is why I believe increasing awareness of contraception and reproductive health is a must ”. Mischa Barton, actress.
An advertising campaign is being launched in key regions around the world to further raise awareness of World Contraception Day and the importance of making informed decisions. A teaser campaign to highlight the impact of unintended pregnancy through hard-hitting statistics has been launched in the run-up to World Contraception Day. At the launch event in Berlin, Mischa Barton officially unveiled the launch advertising campaign which features striking images comparing life with and without children and the strapline ‘live your life before you start another’.
Different activities are taking place around the world to mark World Contraception Day including educational events at schools, colleges and universities, charity concerts, and roadshows involving workshops for young people and promotional activities in night-clubs and discos. A global website, www.your-life.com , has also been launched, featuring information and advice on contraception, sexuality and body education as well as interactive features such as mobile phone downloads and an online survey.
In addition, a healthcare professional campaign has been launched to ensure that doctors, nurses and family planning clinics are fully aware of World Contraception Day. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) will be provided with a number of informative educational materials to provide during consultations, including a “Your Contraception” guide and a pocket card featuring important information on how and where to access
contraception.
Teenage Pregnancies – A global Problem
In Europe:
- Over a quarter of 15- to 24-year-olds didn’t use contraception the first time they had sex3
- Legal abortions among 15- to 19-year-olds: Germany 15,7534, Hungary 5,5884, Sweden 6,6864, Finland 2,2684, France 28,3765, Italy 9,7255, Romania 17,9024, United Kingdom 36,0236
David Cibula, President, ESC: ¨ It is worrying that even in Europe there are substantial differences in usage of contraception. In certain European countries, less than 50% of sexually active women use a reliable method of contraception. This is particularly alarming amongst younger people where in average only about 50% of women used contraception when they had their first sexual experience. Sexual education is a continuous and complex process which should be provided on an ongoing basis throughout life. In many countries around the world, sexual education could be improved and World Contraception Day aims to support this aim .”
In Latin America:
- Between 35 and 52% of teenage pregnancies in the region are unplanned. In average, 38% of women get pregnant before the age of 207
- According to data from the Panamerican Health Organization, every year, 15% of teenagers between 15 and 19 years of age get a sexually transmitted infection8
- Between 53 and 71% of women in the region have sex before 20, and the average age of the first sexual intercourse is between 15 and 16 years of age8
“ In Latin America, approximately between 17 and 40% of unplanned pregnancies result among women less than 20 years old mainly due to lack of information. For that reason, CELSAM joins other international organizations in supporting World Contraception Day as an initiative to continue educating Latin American teenagers on the importance of using the pill combined with a condom to practice a responsible sexuality; one that
prevents unplanned pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). ” said Dr. Samuel Santoyo, CELSAM Latin America Executive Director.
“ As experts on pediatric and adolescent gynecology, and in line with our mission to contribute with the reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality in teenage mothers, FIGIJ is glad to join other international organizations to support World Contraception Day. We hope that this initiative will help reduce the increasingly high incidence of teen unplanned pregnancy. ” said Dr. Ramiro Molina, President of FIGIJ.
In Asia/Pacific:
- About 1 in 3 or 30% of births in Asia are unintended9
- In 1995, 27 million abortions were carried out in Asia, which accounted for over half (58%) of the world's number of abortions. The overall abortion rate in Asian women during the child-bearing age of 15-44 is as high as 33 per 1,00010
- Asia also had the highest number of unsafe abortions in the world, at 10.5 million, in 1995. Out of these unsafe abortions, 30% occurred in women less than 25 years old and 60% were performed in women under 3011
- Oceania/Pacific has one of the world’s lowest abortion rates at 0.1 million with an average incidence of 21 abortions per 1,00010
" The newly-founded Asia-Pacific Council on Contraception is pleased to be involved in World Contraception Day to bring into focus the global need for better education in reproductive and sexual health and ensure a better informed population on contraceptive options and access. APCOC has a mission to promote safe and effective contraception in family planning for the Asia-Pacific region where the statistics are a cause for concern. Many unplanned and unintended pregnancies are occurring due to a lack of appropriate information and proper use of contraception. We believe that a well-planned family contributes to a well-served society as it moves towards a better life, regardless of the environment we live in ”. Professor Soo Keat Khoo, Chairman APCOC.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
About Marie Stopes International Global Partnership
Marie Stopes International (MSI) is one of the largest sexual and reproductive health agencies in the world. In 2006 alone, MSI provided nearly five million people in 38 countries with high quality, affordable and culturally appropriate health services including family planning; maternal and child health care; safe delivery and obstetrics; safe abortion and post abortion care; diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections; voluntary and confidential testing for HIV/AIDS and prevention of mother to child transmission; information and education. For more information visit the website of Marie Stopes International: www.mariestopes.org.uk
About European Society of Contraception (ESC)
The ESC was founded in France in 1988 and is a leading medical society in the field of contraception and family planning in Europe. ESC’s primary aim is to both provide information and improve access to contraception and reproductive healthcare in Europe. In order to achieve it’s objectives, ESC strives to harmonize the legal situation in Europe and to promote availability of all established methods of contraception. For more information visit the website of the ESC: www.contraception-esc.com
About Centro Latinoamericano Salud y Mujer (CELSAM)
CELSAM is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve sexual and reproductive health in women and their partners, through information, orientation and education. CELSAM has a strong presence in Latin America where it conducts its activities. CELSAM’s regional network provides information to women and their partners on topics related to women’s health from puberty to adulthood. For more information visit the website of CELSAM: www.celsam.org
About International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (FIGIJ)
One of the main tasks of FIGIJ is to work on the sexual and reproductive health among adolescents around the world. Also, one of the objectives is to contribute with measures that can diminish the maternal and perinatal mortality in teenage mothers, through the prevention of unplanned pregnancies in adolescents. This is a very serious public health problem not resolved in many developing countries. For more information visit the website of FIGIJ: www.FIGIJ.org
About Asia Pacific Council on Contraception
Asia Pacific Council on Contraception (APCOC) was formed in 2006 by leading contraception and family planning experts to highlight the importance of family planning, with safe and reliable contraception across Asia Pacific. Its main goal is to empower women with the right information, education and communication (IEC) to provide them with the opportunity to make informed choices in contraception. For more information visit the website of APCOC: www.apcoc.net
About Bayer Schering Pharma
Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology, Primary Care, Specialized Therapeutics and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life. For more information visit the website: www.bayerscheringpharma.de
Media contacts
For enquiries, images and to arrange an interview with a World Contraception Day spokesperson of all NGO´s please contact ShireHealthPR:
- Lindsay Ephgrave: +44 (0) 20 7108 6017 or +44 (0) 7909 930 012
- Stephanie Martin: +44 (0) 20 7108 6511 or +44 (0) 7876 142 896
For inquiries concerning Bayer Schering Pharma please contact:
- Astrid Kranz: +49 (0) 30 46812057; astrid.kranz@bayerhealthcare.com
- Dr. Friederike Lorenzen +49 (0) 30 46815805; friederike.lorenzen@bayerhealthcare.com
References
1. Alan Guttmacher Institute. Sharing responsibilities: women, society and abortion worldwide.
New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1999
2. Save the Children, May 2004,
www.savethechildren.org/publications/mothers/ 2004/SOWM_2004_final.pdf
3. S.A.F.E Study 2006, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, data on file
4. EUROSTAT 2005, http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu
5. EUROSTAT 2003, http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu
6. www.statistics.gov.uk 2001
7. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, Vol. 11, no. 3, Washington.Marzo, 2002.
8. Schutt-Aine, J. y Maddaleno, M. Sexual Health and Development of Adolescents and Youth in the Americas: Program and Policy Implications. PAHO 2003
9. John Ross, John Stover, and Amy Willard, Profiles for Family Planning and Reproductive Health, 1999.
10.Stanley K. Henshaw, Susheela Singh and Taylor Haas, "The Incidence of Abortion Worldwide“, International Family Planning Perspectives, 1999.
11. Grimes DA, Bensen J, Singh S, Romero M, Ganatra B, Okonofua FE, Shah IH. "Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic“, The Lancet 2006. http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/articles/article4.pdf
Contact: Tony Kerridge
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7034 2365 / 07989 565 480