(a) whether the problem of teenage pregnancy is severe in Maharashtra and other parts of the country; and
(b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to address the issue through development schemes, awareness programmes, and regulatory measures?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) & (b) As per the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) data, 8.3 percent of women in the age group of 15-19 years were already mothers or pregnant at the time of survey in Maharashtra as against All India percentage of 7.9.
One of the focus areas of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), Adolescent Health programme of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy and increasing contraceptive prevalence in adolescents. Comprehensive 3600 IEC material on issue of Adolescent Pregnancy titled “Bees Ke Baad Hi Khuskhabri Sunao” has been developed and is being widely used by the States/UTs.
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