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The Beaufort County rate dropped from 39 teen pregnancies per 1,000 in 2005 to 34 in 2006.
Since 2004, statewide pregnancy rates have increased 8 percent from 33.1 per
1,000 births to 35.9 in 2006.
Although the data are 2 years old, they are a fairly accurate reflection of the current situation, said April Borkman, adolescent pregnancy-prevention coordinator at the Child Abuse Prevention Association.
"(Beaufort County) is in the same situation as the rest of the state. We can't look at these numbers and say we're OK," Borkman said. "We can't look at this problem within the confines of the county lines."
She said parents, the community and educators should talk with youth about pregnancy. Current events such as the pregnancies of celebrity Jamie Lynn Spears and Bristol Palin, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's daughter, are perfect opportunities to bring up pregnancy conversations, Borkman said.
The 2006 statistics show that in South Carolina, 10,604 teen girls were pregnant. The numbers are the most recent statistics because it takes a while to compile all counties' information, said Cayci Banks, communications director of the Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
Banks said there is not necessarily one factor that contributed to the statewide rise in pregnancy rates, but lack of investment in prevention by the state and communities played a large role.
In response to last week's released information, officials with the S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy said in a news release that a renewed focus should be placed on preventing teen pregnancy.
"We just have to encourage everyone. It's not just an issue affecting one part of our state. We all have to work together to recommit to our young people in this state," Banks said.
