MORE teenage girls are giving birth in Bendigo than ever before.
The city’s teenage birth rate has been more than double the state average for the past five years, with 6.1 per cent of births in 2006 born to young mothers.
With one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Victoria, Bendigo health care organisations have united to ensure the city supports young parents through their experiences.
The latest statistics from the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit show 76 babies were born to mothers aged younger than 20 years in 2006, only one less than the number born to the same age group in 2005.
However, it’s a significant jump from 2003 and 2004, when 64 and 60 babies were born to the same age group.
Statewide, 1964 teenagers gave birth in 2006, making up 2.9 per cent of the total births that year.
The state averages were 2.8 per cent in 2004 and 2005 and 2.9 per cent in 2003.
In Bendigo, 5.9 per cent of babies born in Bendigo in 2003 were to teenagers, 5.6 per cent in 2004, 6.6 per cent in 2005 and 6.1 per cent in 2006.
According to the City of Greater Bendigo’s family and well-being co-ordinator, a team approach to supporting young parents is necessary.
“We identified the need and want to support these kids,” she said.