PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona's birth rate among teenagers is the fifth highest in the nation, possibly indicating that a 14-year decline in teens having babies is coming to an end, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Arizona had 62 births per 1,000 teenage girls in 2006 - a sharp increase over previous years and well above the national average, according to CDC figures released Wednesday. They're the most recent available.

It's unclear why there was an increase in teens giving birth nationwide, but demographers and health experts cite factors ranging from poverty to less use or availability of birth control.

Some said they're surprised about how widespread the increases were; higher rates were reported in 26 states.

"Over the past several years, there had been a slowing of the rate of decline, so the reversal wasn't so much of a surprise," said Paul Sutton, one of the report's authors. "But the fact that it was so marked and that it cut across so many regions and demographic trends - that we didn't expect."

State and local officials urge caution when looking at the birth numbers in Arizona.

They pointed out that the CDC report, which was compiled by analyzing birth certificates and 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, may not be accurately counting the teenage population, particularly in states with high numbers of immigrants and minorities, who tend to be underreported in the census.

"The study that came out is just the numbers," said Denise Link, associate dean for clinical practice and community partnership at Arizona State University's College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation. "If we drill down ... we can start to paint a clearer picture."

But it's likely that the report accurately depicts a national trend, she said.

Also, the data show that the birth-rate increase in Arizona is primarily because of pregnancies among older teens, according to state health officials.

"Clearly, Arizona has a substantial teen-pregnancy problem," said Sheila Sjolander, chief of the Bureau of Women and Children's Health at the state Department of Health Services. "There's no getting around that.

"But I think it's getting better in Arizona overall, compared with the other states."

State Department of Health Services data show higher numbers of 18- and 19-year-olds having babies, compared to those ages 15 to 17, whose pregnancy rates have been declining steadily since 1998.

Other states with high birth rates among teens include New Mexico, Texas and Arkansas; Mississippi led the nation.

All have teen birth rates 50 percent or more above the national average.

Teen birth rates rose nationwide by 3.5 percent. In Arizona, the increase was 6.5 percent.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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