A SURVEY conducted by Capstone-Intel Corp. has found that 72 percent of Filipinos view teenage pregnancy as a significant issue in their community.

The poll, which involved 1,210 respondents, was conducted from September 20 to 27, 2023.

According to the results, 21 percent of respondents consider teenage pregnancy a moderate issue, while 6 percent do not see it as a significant concern. The rest of the respondents were uncertain about its impact in their communities.

“Teenage pregnancy is a critical public health issue that can have long-term consequences for both young parents and their children,” said Dr. Bernadette Madrid, head of the Philippine General Hospital’s Child Protection Unit.

By surveying the community, the data helps gauge awareness about teenage pregnancy and its level of concern, she added.

The survey also revealed that while most respondents (61%) received formal sexual health and contraception education as teenagers, a notable portion (31%) did not. An additional 7 percent were unsure whether they had received such education.