TEEN PREGNANCY

Birth Rate

Although since 1990 there has been a considerable decline in birth rates among adolescents,
approximately 11% of all births in the world still take place among girls aged 15 to 19 years.
Most of these births happen in low and middle income countries.

The World Health Statistics 2014 indicates that the average global birth rate among
adolescents aged 15 to 19 is 49 per 1000 girls.

Adolescent pregnancy continues to be one of the main factors that contribute to maternal
and infant mortality and the circle of illness and poverty.

Contexts

Some teenagers plan and want their pregnancy, but in many cases it is not. Teen
pregnancies are more likely in poor, less educated and rural communities. In some countries,
getting pregnant without being married is not uncommon. In contrast, some girls may
receive social pressure to marry and, once married, to have children. In middle- and
low-income countries, more than 30% of girls marry before the age of 18, and close to 14%
before the age of 15.

Some girls don’t know how to prevent pregnancy, because in many countries there is no sex
education. They may feel too embarrassed to ask for contraceptive services; contraceptives
may be too expensive or not easy to get or even illegal.

Most common causes of teen pregnancy

The causes of pregnancies at these ages depend a lot on the culture, education,
environment or medical advances of each country. In some places, marriage is allowed and
encouraged at a very young age.

In other territories, the main cause of teenage pregnancy is that young people have sex
without using contraceptives, which is known as unwanted pregnancies.
Risk factor's

 Cultural

 Teen sexual behavior

 Consumption of drugs and alcohol

 Lack of information on contraceptive methods

 Age difference in sexual relations

 Sexual abuse

 Violence against women

 Dating Violence

 Domestic violence

 Socioeconomic factors

 Abuse, violence, neglect in childhood and dysfunctional families