Majority of provinces see increase in teenage births

In 2023, an increase in births to teenage mothers was noted in the majority of provinces in the Bicol Region. Camarines Sur recorded the highest number of births in both years, with an increase of 69 births, which represents a 2.3 percent rise. Camarines Norte showed the largest percentage increase at 5.5 percent, with 75 additional births. Masbate and Catanduanes also showed notable increases of 3.1 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. Sorsogon, on the other hand, had an absolute increase of 7 births, which still represents a 0.6 percent growth. The only province that recorded a decrease was Albay, with a 2.0 percent reduction or a decline of 35 births.

Births born to teenage mothers reached 9,661 in 2023

In 2023, a total of 9,661 births to teenage mothers was registered in Bicol Region. Camarines Sur accounted for the largest share of teenage births with 3,056, representing 31.6 percent of the total. Catanduanes, on the other hand, had the smallest share at 460, which constitutes 4.8 percent of the registered teenage births in the region.

Nine in ten birth deliveries were medically attended

Of the total number of teenage births in the Bicol Region, 94.3 percent of deliveries were attended by health professionals, which may include a physician, midwife, or nurse. About 5.3 percent were facilitated by traditional birth attendants (hilot/unlicensed midwives). Among the six provinces, Albay had the highest proportion of medically attended births, with 97.3 percent, while Camarines Sur had the most births attended by traditional birth attendants, with 297 births, accounting for 9.5 percent of the total.

Nine in ten birth delivered in hospitals  

About 9 out of 10 teenage birth deliveries (94.0%) were delivered in hospitals. There were about 5.6 percent delivered at home. Among the six provinces, Sorsogon had the highest proportion of births delivered in hospitals with 98.7 percent.  

Most babies born to 19-year-old mothers

A significant increase in the number of births with age progression was noted in the Bicol Region. The numbers rose dramatically from 13 to 19 years old. Notably, between the ages of 18 and 19, there was a substantial increase - 2,716 births, or 28.1 percent, and 3,761 births, or 38.9 percent, respectively. It was also observed that there were 5 births registered to mothers under 13 years old in 2023.

Most births occur in September and October

In 2023, most teenage births in Bicol Region occurred in September with 926 (9.6%). It was followed by the months of October with 918 (9.5%), January with 903 (9.3%), and December with 892 (9.2%) registered births, respectively.  

In 2023, the overall sex ratio across all provinces was 102.5, indicating approximately 103 males for every 100 females. Among provinces, Sorsogon had the highest sex ratio at 108.6, indicative of a significant occurrence of male births relative to females. Camarines Norte, Albay, Masbate also showed higher ratios at 105.0, 103.0, and 102.4, respectively. Camarines and Catanduanes, on the other hand, had a lower ratio of 99.3 and 97.4, indicating more female births compared to male births.  

Among municipalities included in the top 20 list, Mercedes, Camarines Norte registered the most number of births to teenage mothers in Bicol Region, with 261 births (2.7%), while, Goa, Camarines Sur and recorded the least with, 131 births (1.4%).  Notably, capital and chartered cities - Naga City, Legazpi City, Tabaco City, Sorsogon City, Masbate City, Ligao City and Iriga City - tend to have higher birth rates, which is indicative of higher population density and varying access to healthcare and education.

DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Live Birth is a complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, which after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has  

Sex Ratio – the number to the males per 100 females in a population.