EFFORTS to reduce teenage pregnancy rates in the city are continuing, but health chiefs have expressed "disappointment" that they have not yet fallen.

A number of measures are being undertaken in Exeter following the publication of figures which showed that the city has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the Devon County Council area — 47 out of every 1,000 under-18s conceive. The national average is 40.4 per 1,000 girls.

NHS Devon has been working with a number of other agencies and organisations, including Exeter City Council, to tackle the problem.

Measures include the C Card scheme — a condom distribution service targeting the areas of the city with the highest pregnancy rate — as well as efforts to increase the number of teens being screened for chlamydia.

Dr Virginia Pearson, director of public health for NHS Devon, said: "It is disappointing that teenage pregnancy rates have not fallen — but there has been no rise, either.

"Exeter is a top priority for us and has attracted some 75 per cent of our total funding across Devon. We are working to re- target our approach even further, to make sure we are providing services and support where they are most needed. "

A spokesman for NHS Devon added: "The C Card condom distribution scheme started in Exeter in 2009 offering young people access to a wider range of trained professionals to provide advice, information and support to make safe sexual health choices.

"As well as helping reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy rates, the C Card scheme has proved very successful in engaging young men to think about their sexual behaviour.

"Chlamydia screening rates have been consistent throughout the year, and while take-up — at 3,414 tests — has not been as high as hoped, awareness of the screening is expected to keep rising.

"Sexual health services are currently being reviewed to ensure that we are fully meeting young people's needs."

Exeter City Council's social health and inclusion committee discussed progress with tackling teenage pregnancy yesterday.

Echo Teen teamer Becca Stokes, 17, said: "The C Card scheme is important in encouraging young people to use contraception. There should also be more work with young women around self esteem to help them make the right choices."