Campaign aims to cut teenage pregnancy

The campaign, named Contraception - Worth Talking About, aims to increase awareness of how to stay protected against sexually transmitted infections and the different types of contraception available after figures indicated earlier this year that the government was unlikely to meet its target of halving teenage pregnancy by 2010.

Recent research shows that 92 per cent of people cannot name the 15 types of contraception available to them and nearly half of younger women are not aware they might not be using contraception that is the best "fit" for their age and lifestyle.

It also showed that more than a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds have never talked about contraception with their partner.

Health campaigners welcomed the scheme but said it must be backed up by improved access to sexual health and family planning services.

Chief executive of teenage parents' charity Straight Talking Hilary Pannack said: "There are not enough clinics. It's very patchy and they're not always available at the times which are suitable to young people.

"In a lot of cases there have been so many cutbacks that the services are really inappropriate and in rural areas it's even worse."

A spokesperson for health union Unison added that cuts in family planning services in schools had contributed to England's position as the teenage pregnancy capital in Europe.

"Teenagers need to have better access to school nurses and health professionals to give them advice when they need it," she said.