THE Health Ministry recorded a drop in the rate of teenage pregnancies from 2004 to 2010.
Instead of referring to teenage pregnancies, the ministry calls it adolescent birth rate as this is accurately measures as number of live births to girls between the ages of 15 and 19 years.
Ministry permanent secretary Doctor Eloni Tora said the trend of such rates had declined over the past five years.
"Awareness programs led by the ministry include adolescent health development initiatives carried out by peer educators both in and out of schools that raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health issues that ultimately focus on positive behavioural change," he said.
"Some of these behaviours include the delay of sexual debut by young people opting to remain chaste, especially while still in school. The abstinence from sexual activity should complement the abstinence from other non-healthy behaviour prevalent in young people leading to poor habits that contribute to early onset of non-communicable diseases."
Dr Tora said it was important to note the reason statistics like pregnancy among teenagers attracted much media attention and redirected the focus to why it should become a concern.
"A young girl is still maturing and developing and should not be made to choose motherhood out of circumstance and when she is least ready for it. The preparation is not only physical but psychological, financial and spiritual when bringing new life to being through pregnancy," he said.
"Evidence points to greater risks and complications being faced in women in this age group and also includes those who marry young and become pregnant in this age group."
He added churches, youth and women's groups have a lot to contribute in helping our teachers keep children in schools, and encouraging education as a means to prepare for what life has to offer, including higher education, employment or income generating work for example farming or fishing.