Teenage conceptions by small area deprivation in England and Wales, 2001-2002.

This article examines the relationship between teenage conceptions and deprivation in England and Wales in 2001-2002 using data at census ward level. Teenage conceptions are defined as births and abortions to women conceiving under the age of 18. Deprivation has been measured using Carstairs scores rebased using the 2001 Census. For the first time at ward level, analysis has differentiated between births and abortions resulting from teenage conceptions. Findings confirm the strong association between teenage conceptions and deprivation and also that deprivation has a strong influence on the likelihood of conceptions leading to either birth or abortion, although regional variations were observed for this relationship.