Addressing one of the most serious public health issues—the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies — in Tamil Nadu, the state Directorate of Public Health (DPH) has initiated further studies into the growing instances in certain districts. This newly commissioned study will explore real-time, evidence-based causes of teenage pregnancies and identify potential prevention solutions, said a senior official at the DPH, Tamil Nadu.
A couple of weeks ago, the Department, had in a report released concerning findings regarding the alarming rise in teenage pregnancies among girls aged 13 to 19. Data collected from hospitals revealed that 62,870 teenagers were affected, with a cumulative teenage pregnancy rate of 1.3%.
The rates of teenage pregnancy in Tamil Nadu over the years have shown a gradual increase: 1.1% in 2019-20, 1.3% in 2020-21, 1.3% in 2021-22, 1.1% in 2022-23, and 1.5% in 2023-24. Among the districts, Nagapattinam has the highest rate at 3.3%, followed by Theni at 2.4%, and Perambalur at 2.3%. In contrast, districts like Kancheepuram, Virudhunagar, Nagercoil, and Chennai report the lowest teenage pregnancy rates, ranging from 0.4% to 0.7%.
According to the DPH report published in the Tamil Nadu Journal of Public Health and Medical Research, the latest findings confirm that teenage pregnancy remains a significant concern across the state’s districts.
