M Nebot1, I Rohlfs. 1. Instituto Municipal de la Salud (IMS), Barcelona.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and maternity during adolescence constitutes an obstetric and perinatal risk factor and reason for increased social alarm. Nonetheless, the predisposing factors have been little studied in Spain. METHODS: The demographic data and information on the age of onset of sexual relations, contraceptive methods used, in addition to the reason for the first visit, corresponding to the users of six municipal family planning centers in Barcelona who were under the age of 20 years at the time of the first visit were analyzed. Likewise, the principal incidences in the follow up, including pregnancies, abortions and changes in contraceptive methods were collected. RESULTS: From October 1989 to September 1990 823 first visits corresponding to adolescents were registered. Forty-five percent (380) were under the age of 18 years with 716 (87%) having initiated full sexual relations with more than two years having passed prior to the first visit to the center in 183 cases (26%). The most frequent reason for the visit to the center was to request contraception (48%). The lack of labor and academic activity, in addition to the infrequent use of condoms were associated to pregnancy as the reason for the consultation in 42 cases. Twenty-four adolescents became pregnant during follow up being associated to the early initiation of sexual relations, with an interval of two or more years prior to attending the center and a change in contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS: The delay in attending family planning centers and the use of little effective contraceptive methods are risk factors for undesired pregnancy in adolescence.
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and maternity during adolescence constitutes an obstetric and perinatal risk factor and reason for increased social alarm. Nonetheless, the predisposing factors have been little studied in Spain. METHODS: The demographic data and information on the age of onset of sexual relations, contraceptive methods used, in addition to the reason for the first visit, corresponding to the users of six municipal family planning centers in Barcelona who were under the age of 20 years at the time of the first visit were analyzed. Likewise, the principal incidences in the follow up, including pregnancies, abortions and changes in contraceptive methods were collected. RESULTS: From October 1989 to September 1990 823 first visits corresponding to adolescents were registered. Forty-five percent (380) were under the age of 18 years with 716 (87%) having initiated full sexual relations with more than two years having passed prior to the first visit to the center in 183 cases (26%). The most frequent reason for the visit to the center was to request contraception (48%). The lack of labor and academic activity, in addition to the infrequent use of condoms were associated to pregnancy as the reason for the consultation in 42 cases. Twenty-four adolescents became pregnant during follow up being associated to the early initiation of sexual relations, with an interval of two or more years prior to attending the center and a change in contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS: The delay in attending family planning centers and the use of little effective contraceptive methods are risk factors for undesired pregnancy in adolescence.
Authors: J A Gascón Jiménez; B Navarro Gochicoa; F J Gascón Jiménez; L A Pérula de Torres; A Jurado Porcel; G Montes Redondo Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 2003-10-15 Impact factor: 1.137