Sharp rise in Malay teenage pregnancies detected in Singapore=

Sharp rise in Malay teenage pregnancies detected in Singapore=

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Singapore

Pregnancies among Malay teenagers in Singapore have more than
quadrupled in recent years, fostering new videos to help
embarrassed parents talk to their offspring about sex, The Sunday
Times said.

From 100 pregnancies a year between 1995 and 1997, the figure
has jumped to 431 for the last year data was available, according
to the Family Development Network.

Unless something is done, teenage pregnancy will become a
major problem, warned Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, the minister for Muslim
Affairs.

Thirty-eight percent of the Malay community here are under the
age of 19. The total number of Malays amount to 14 percent of the
predominantly Chinese population.

The 500 VCDs to be distributed at mosques and by various
organizations offer parents different ways of discussing sexual
issues and teaching teenagers the dangers and consequences of
early sexual activity.

"Through the VCDs, we hope to help the Malay parents
understand that they have to make the first step," Yaacob was
quoted as saying.

"They need to find out their kids' concerns and work out a
solution together."