Abortion figures rising

There was a reduction in the number of teenagers giving birth at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) last year, but an increase in the number of abortions.

Three hundred and twenty-seven teens between the ages of 14 and 19 gave birth at the institution during that period. This represents a decrease of 51 births over 2015.

Of that number, seven were born to children in the 14-year age group while 16 were born to those in the 15-year group.

Seventy-five were born to teens in the 16 to 17 age group, with 23 to 16-year-olds and 52 to 17-year-olds.

Those 18 and over recorded 127 births.

Over the same period there were 54 abortions, 14 more than 2015. (JB)

Please read the full story in today’s Weekend Nation, or in the eNATION edition.