UNK Teen Pregnancy Quantitative Report 2021

Photo: Marcus Swanepoel
Unprepared
A Summary of Survey Findings
on Teenage Pregnancy in
Palawan, Philippines
Quantitative Data
Analysis Report
October 2021
Editorial Board
Written by:
Raisa Santos
Preethika Sundararaj
Amy Willerford
Edited by:
Amie Perez
Amina Evangelista Swanepoel
Marcus Swanepoel
Layout and page design by:

Aaron Moises Bonete
DISCLAIMER
Illustrations, images, and photographs
(collectively, the “Images”) contained
in this document are for general
presentation purposes only and do not in
any way represent the data, persons, and
interviews described. Unless otherwise
stated, the Images are Roots of Health’s
proprietary property.
Table of
contents
Background Summary of Findings From
PAGE 01 Descriptive Analysis
PAGE 05
02 Supporting Literature
03 Research Focus 05 Family & Household
03 Methodology 07 Self-Esteem
03 Respondent 08 Relationships & Sex
Demographics 10 Pregnancy
11 Risk Factors
12 Health Services
Summary of Findings of Key Recommendations

Advanced Analysis PAGE 15
PAGE 13
13 Household
Communication
13 Initiation of Sex
14 Barriers to
Contraception Use
14 Abortion
Conclusion About Roots of Health,

PAGE 21 EMpower & The Mailman
School of Public Health
PAGE 22
Appendix 1: References Appendix 2: Survey Questions

PAGE 25 PAGE 27
A Summary of Survey Findings on Teenage
Pregnancy in Palawan, Philippines
Quantitative Data Analysis Report
Photo: Dave Sarabia, Our Better World
Background
The Philippines is facing stagnant rates of adolescent fertility and
pregnancy that exceed those of neighboring countries and global
trends. Worldwide, the adolescent fertility rate has decreased
steadily since 1960 to about 41.6 births per 1,000 women and girls
ages 15-19 in 2019.1 The same observation was true in the Philippines
until around the turn of the millennium, when the adolescent fertility
dramatically rose to about 57.3 in 2012, falling to about 55.4 in 2019.2
According to data obtained from the Philippines National

Demographic and Health Surveys (PNDHS), the rate of teenage
pregnancy in the country has dropped a little over one percent
over almost 10 years—from 9.9% in 2008 to 8.6% in 2017.3 This critical
public health issue has led organizations such as the Commission on
Population and Development (POPCOM) and the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA) to declare teenage pregnancy a
national emergency and an epidemic, harkening on the damaging
effects that early and repeat pregnancies can have on the life
course of adolescent girls.4
In response to the worsening teen pregnancy situation, in June

2021 the President of the Philippines issued Executive Order 141
which adopts as a national policy the implementation of measures
to address the root causes of the rising number of teenage
pregnancies, in addition to mobilizing government agencies in
addressing such causes.5 This measure is hoped to boost efforts
begun in December 2012 with the passage of the Reproductive
Background
Health Law, which to date has not been fully implemented.
This research will facilitate a better understanding of the contributing

factors to adolescent pregnancy and reveal key points of
intervention to address this public health crisis.
01
Supporting Literature
Teenage and adolescent pregnancies can and do occur in countries

of all income levels. However, across most countries around the
world, early pregnancies tend to occur at higher rates among those
who live in rural areas, are poor, and have low education levels.6
According to 2017 data from the PNDHS, 10.1% of women aged 15
to 19 have begun childbearing from rural areas in the Philippines
compared to 6.8% of women from urban areas.3 Women from
rural areas in the Philippines have had consistently higher rates
of adolescent pregnancy, though this rural-urban gap has been
decreasing since 2008. Excluding those who have not had an
education, just under one third of surveyed women who had an
adolescent pregnancy had up to a sixth grade education. Survey
data also shows a gradiential difference in childbearing among
women aged 15 to 19 from the lowest wealth quintile to the highest
wealth quintile (reported based on household status, from the
poorest 20% to the richest 20%, respectively), where those in the
lowest quintile have the greatest percentage of pregnancies. Despite
this general trend, the percentage of women who are childbearing
among the third and fourth wealth quintiles has increased steadily
from 2003 PNDHS survey, a trend that suggests other risk factors are
at play.3
Knowledge of potential risk factors for adolescent pregnancy specific

to Southeast Asia is limited, though social risk factors pertinent to
this region include early sex initiation, barriers to contraceptive
access and sex education, and early cohabitation with partners. In
contrast to other countries in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
where teen and adolescent pregnancy is attributable in large part
to early marriage, Southeast Asian countries show a trend towards
cohabitation in lieu of marriage.7,8 This trend may explain the
increasing percentages of female adolescents in urban areas and
upper wealth quintiles who are childbearing. Studies in the Philippines
have shown early sex intiation to be related to adolescent’s
perceptions that their friends and peers are already having sex.9,10
Additionally, early sex initiation has also been linked to their feelings
of connectedness with their families; for girls specifically, lack of
parental support (specifically maternal support) or living away from
their families has lessened the protective influence that these social
structures have on delaying sex initiation.11
It is important to note that early sex intiation/sex outside of marriage

and cohabitation does not inherently lead to early pregnancies
or poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. However, early
sex initiation in the context of socio-cultural stigma around young
people’s access to contraceptive knowledge, contraceptive use,
and reproductive health services can put them at increased risk of
unintended pregnancies and poor reproductive health otucomes.12
Such stigma also reduces even discussions regarding safe sex and
contraception, ultimately reducing the likelihood that adolescents
would access legitimate sources of reproductive health information
Background
and rather use informal sources such as their friends. In the

Phlilippines, traditions and norms regarding sex and gender and
taboos around early sex create knowledge and access barriers that
negatively affect both girls and boys. Traditional gender roles impact
girls’ abilities to negotiate safe and consensual sex and express
02
sex positivity, while they increase boys’ likelihood of engaging in

risky sexual behavior. Both of these can lead to early unintended
pregnancies.13
Research Focus
Roots of Health aims to add to the current knowledge base regarding

risk factors for adolescent pregnancies focusing on Palawan,
Philippines. Roots of Health issued an anonymous, self-administered
survey to 119 adolescent women who have had teen pregnancies in
order to understand their unique situations before getting pregnant
and to identify any common factors that generate disproportionate
risk of teen pregnancy for some. This survey assessed themes prior to
pregnancy including participants’ family and household functioning,
self-esteem, experiences with romantic and sexual relationships,
and any risky behaviors that participants engaged in. Questions
also covered girls’ experiences during their pregnancy, social and
financial support, and their experiences accessing reproductive
health services throughout their adolescence (Appendix 2).
Roots of Health plans to use the information from this analysis and
findings from supplemental qualitative interviews to identify gaps
in current programs and services available and strengthen our
collective approach to preventing teen pregnancy.
Methodology
The survey was created using KoboCollect and was a self-

administered, online survey. It was advertised online through the
Roots of Health Facebook pages, specifically targeting women
and girls who had a teenage pregnancy. Respondents were
compensated for their participation with P200 (approximately $4
USD). All 174 completed surveys were validated to ensure respondents
were of the appropriate age and that responses across all questions
were consistent and/or appropriate. After data validation, a total of
119 surveys were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS to complete
a descriptive analysis of teen pregnancy in Palawan and identify key
associations between responses.
Respondent Demographics
General
Survey respondents were between the ages of 15 and 24 with

an average of 21 years old. 71% of respondents were from urban
barangays (neighborhoods), and three quarters reported
Puerto Princesa City as their hometown. 52% of respondents
currently live with a romantic partner, 41% live with their family,
and 5% live alone. With regards to healthcare, roughly two
thirds of respondents reported that they were a PhilHealth14
member or a dependent, and 13% reported that they were a
4Ps/NHTS.15 member.
Background
Educational Background
All respondents completed at least an elementary education.

43% of respondents are currently attending school; half of
03
respondents reported that they stopped going to school

because of their pregnancy. The highest level of education
received among respondents generally varies, though a large
proportion of respondents have attended some college (32%)
and junior high school (18%).
Eight out of ten respondents shared they enjoyed going to

school. Unfortunately, adolescent girls often face challenges
in education before, during, and after their pregnancies.
Most respondents who shared they experienced difficulties
in school, reported having difficulty with school finances
(73%). Some had difficulty meeting class requirements (39%).
It appears that schools can offer adolescents some social
support from peers and teachers. A majority of respondents
did not have difficulty dealing with classmates (86%) or dealing
with teachers (82%).
Financial Background
Out of all surveyed sources of income to provide for family

expenses, spouse’s/partner’s job was more commonly
reported (58%), followed by money from parents (28%), and
respondent’s own job (18%). Very few respondents reported
sources of income such as savings, businesses, social services,
or loans. Two in five girls did not work or make money after
their pregnancy. Reasons for not making money varied, though
participants commonly cited childcare responsibilities as
preventing them from making an income.
Background
04
A Summary of Survey Findings on Teenage Photo: Isabel Corthier
Summary of Findings
From Descriptive Analysis
Family & Household
Family History
More than half of respondents (58%) lived with their immediate

family before getting pregnant. Two thirds of respondents had a
nuclear family structure, in which they lived with their parents and
siblings. Less than half of respondents (45%) lived away from their
family, with the majority that did live away citing several reasons
including school, separated parents, being independent, living with
grandparents, and others.
One factor of interest in this survey was parental educational

attainment. Parents’ highest educational attainment was split
unevenly. Almost a quarter (22%) of respondents had mothers whose
highest educational attainment was graduating college, followed
by not graduating junior high (16%). Respondents’ fathers highest
Summary of Findings From Descriptive Analysis
educational attainment was elementary school, not graduated (18%),

followed by college, graduated and not graduated (14% for both) and
graduating junior high school.
Mother’s Highest
Educational 22%
Attainment 16%
12%
13%
9% 10%
8% 8%
1% 1% 1%
Elementary
Some Elementary
Junior High
Some Junior High
Vocational
Some Vocational
ALS
College
Some College
Did not Attend
Seinior High
05
Father’s Highest
Educational
Attainment 19%
14% 14% 14%
13% 13%
7%
4%
Some Elementary
Junior High
Some Junior High
Seinior High
College
Some College
Elementary
Vocational
Family size varied among participants from being an only child to
having 10 siblings. Almost half (48%) of respondents had either three
or four siblings. Three out of every five respondents were either the
firstborn or second-born of their family.
Household Functioning
Questions regarding household functioning in the survey were

organized into likert scales ranging from strongly disagree to strongly
agree. This section included questions regarding family support
and ability to discuss topics that include contraceptives, sex, and
relationships with parents.
Three quarters of participants grew up in a household where either

or both parents worked beyond eight hours every day. Two thirds of
participants had a family member who was drunk at least once a
week.
A majority of participants (71%) felt they had enough financial

support from their parents or other adults in their household. Fewer

participants shared they had physical (59%), emotional (52%), or
spiritual (42%) support from their household. Fortunately, more than
half (58%) of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they felt
useful and important to their families.
Participants were frequently unable to A majority of

talk to their parents (or other members in respondents could
their household) about topics including
alcohol and drug use, gender identity and
not talk to their
sexual orientation, puberty, sex, pregnancy, parents about
contraception, and relationships. A majority contraception, drugs,
of respondents could not talk to their parents gender identity and
about contraception (86%), drugs (92%), sexual orientation,
gender identity and sexual orientation (87%),
and sex (84%). Half of respondents could speak
and sex.
to adults in their household about pregnancy,
with similar results found in puberty (43%) and
romantic relationships (43%). Respondents
primarily wished they could speak to their
parents about contraception (37%), sex (40%),
06
pregnancy (41%), and romantic relationships (39%). Only 36% of

respondents that could speak to their parents about some of these
topics found that they were satisfied with these conversations.
These findings indicate that a significant lack of communication

in households affects the knowledge, or lack thereof, of young
women as they enter their first romantic and sexual relationships.
Thus, it is essential that organizations in the Philippines work
directly with parents and families to facilitate greater household
communication to equip their children with the knowledge
and skills necessary to safely engage in romantic and sexual
relationships. This includes communication with sons as well
to highlight the importance of consent and sexual respect in
romantic relationships which is discussed further later in this report.
Self-Esteem
Questions regarding self-esteem in the survey were organized into

self-reported levels of self-esteem and questions regarding forms of
abuse and pressure to have sex.
Self-Reported Levels of Self Esteem
This survey also assessed a range of self-esteem measures relying

on a likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The
distribution of responses to each question is listed below.
“I have high self esteem”

Disagree
6%
Neutral
22%
Agree
47%
Strongly Agree
24%
Strongly Disagree
2%
“I feel useless at times”

Disagree
18%
Neutral
28%
Agree
31%
Strongly Agree
12%
Strongly Disagree
11%
07
“I am a person of worth, at least on an equal

plane with others.”
Disagree
5%
Neutral
18%
Agree
48%
Strongly Agree
23%
Strongly Disagree
5%
“I wish I could have more respect for myself.”
Disagree
5%
Neutral
8%
Agree
38%
Strongly Agree
45%
Strongly Disagree
3%
Abuse
Half of the survey respondents experienced some form of

abuse before their first pregnancy. Among those who reported
abuse, emotional abuse was the most common (41%). One in five
respondents had experienced some form of physical abuse before
their first pregnancy. Emotional and physical abuse were commonly
reported together; 13% said they had experienced both emotional
and physical abuse at some point. 10 respondents (around 8%)
reported sexual abuse prior to their first pregnancy; the age at which
this type of abuse occurred varied greatly, from 6 to 17 years of
age. It is important to note, however, that sexual abuse is frequently
underreported in research and this estimate may not fully capture
the experiences of sexual assault among adolescents in Palawan.
A third of respondents reported having felt 20% felt

pressure to have sex or otherwise perform a
threatened
sexual act prior to their first pregnancy, and
20% felt threatened into having sex before into having sex
their first pregnancy. Emphasizing consent before their
in interventions targeting young men in first pregnancy
Palawan is an important step towards
ensuring teen girls are able to feel safe and
secure when they engage in their first sexual
relationships.
08
Relationships & Sex
Romantic Relationships
Overall, adolescents appear to begin sexual

experimentation not long after they have their Adolescents appear
first kiss; both the average age of first kiss to begin sexual
and first sexual experimentation was 16 years
old. The majority of participants (72%) were
experimentation not
between 14 and 17 years old when they had long after they have
their first kiss. their first kiss
0 15 10 15 20 25
First Kiss First Experimenting First Sex First Pregnancy
A timeline (in months) of the development of romantic relationships of

participants. On average, within a year they were having sex and within a
year after that, the girls were pregnant.
Half of participants reported they had a boyfriend over 20 years of

age. On average, male partners were two years and eight months
older than our female respondents.
First Sex
Respondents were between 13-19 years old when they first had sex.
The average age at first sex was 16.5 years old, which was younger
than their male partners who were, on average, just over 19 years old
at the time.
The majority of participants reported they first had sex in either their
parents’ house or a boarding house. The remaining girls responded
they had their first sex at their boyfriend’s house (14%), a friend/
relative’s house (12%), or a local inn (12%).
This survey revealed that young girls One in three girls felt
in Palawan are frequently exposed to pressured or were very
nonconsensual sexual encounters. Only 8%
of participants reported they were “very
unwilling to engage in
willing” to engage in their first sex. 60% shared their first sex.
they were either “somewhat willing” or “a
little willing/went with the flow”. One in three
girls shared they felt pressured or were very
08
unwilling to engage in their first sex. It is important to consider cultural

factors that influence the acceptability of sexual expression among
young women in the Philippines. Additional assessment is needed
to determine the characteristics of the pressure adolescent girls
face when engaging in sex for the first time to ensure programs are
designed to facilitate consent and comfort in sexual expression in
relationships. These relationship dynamics may be illuminated in the
subsequent in-depth interviews conducted with participants.
Adolescent girls typically wait several months into their relationship

to have sex for the first time. Over half (58%) of survey respondents
reported they waited more than 6 months to more than 1 year before
having sex for the first time. Only 10% shared they waited less than one
month before having sex for the first time. Despite waiting several
months into a relationship to have sex, there is little evidence to
suggest that this improves communication regarding contraception,
pregnancy, and personal comfort level.
Few participants reported they or their partners used substances at

their first sex. The vast majority of participants (89%) responded they
did not use any substances at their first sex.
Relationships
Communication between sexual partners is a critical component of

fostering safe and healthy relationships. Unfortunately, the results
of our analysis show that many adolescents are not having these
essential conversations with their sexual partners. Sixty-one percent
of participants reported they had either never discussed condoms
with their partner before their first pregnancy or felt uncomfortable
doing so. Similarly, 59% of young women said that before their
first pregnancy, they had never discussed contraception or felt
uncomfortable having this discussion with their sexual partner.
Participants seemed to be slightly more comfortable discussing
having a baby with their partner before their first pregnancy; half of
respondents shared they felt somewhat or very comfortable having
this kind of conversation with their partner. The fact that girls felt
more comfortable discussing having babies than contraception
points to how taboo the topic of birth control still is. It may also
suggest that some girls or couples may think a baby will bring them
closer together.
Partner Support
Survey responses revealed that male partners were frequently

involved in raising their child; about two thirds of respondents shared
that the baby’s father was either often or very involved with taking
care of the baby. However, roughly one in five respondents said the
baby’s father was never involved in raising the child. Further research
is needed to investigate the nature of involvement the fathers have
in their child’s lives. This survey suggests partner involvement ranges
from financial support to direct childcare to occasional visits with the
child.
09
Pregnancy
First Pregnancy
The average age of first pregnancy was 17.5 years, ranging from 14 to
19 years. Again, male partners tended to be older; on average, they
were almost 21 years of age at time of pregnancy with their ages
ranging from 16 to 46 years old. Between first sex and first pregnancy,
the age difference between the girls and their partners increased.
Though most respondents (81%) reported that they got pregnant

because of love and trust in their relationship, the same percentage
of respondents stated they would not have a pregnancy at that age
if they could go back.
With regards to knowledge about contraceptives prior to pregnancy,

respondents were evenly split; half knew about family planning
methods/contraceptives prior to pregnancy, and half did not.
Condoms, pills, and the withdrawal method were commonly
cited as known family planning methods among those who
reported knowledge about contraceptives. The IUD was the least
commonly known method. Of particular concern, 53% of participants
believed that natural family planning was an effective means of
pregnancy prevention. These findings underscore the importance
of comprehensive sex education for adolescents to ensure they are
prepared to engage safely in their first sexual relationships.
Reactions to Pregnancy
Fear was the most commonly reported

feeling survey respondents had regarding
their pregnancy, followed by surprise and
happiness. Predictably, almost 70% of
respondents had more than one feeling
regarding their pregnancy. Surprise and fear,
disappointment and fear, confusion and fear,
and sadness and fear were more frequently

reported together. Approximately half of the
respondents reported hiding their pregnancy
which could be related to feelings of shame
for having an early pregnancy. This was
assessed further in the in-depth interviews
with participants.
Over half of participants (58%) stated they had 30% of students

not been bullied by other individuals while they reported having
were pregnant. Among those that did report
been shamed by
experiencing bullying, they most frequently
experienced bullying from relatives (33%) and their teacher.
neighbors (34%).
Prevalence of bullying and shaming in school due to pregnancy

were consistent among respondents. 28% and 24% of respondents
that were still in school during their pregnancy reported having been
bullied and outcasted by classmates, respectively. Similarly, 30% of
students reported having been shamed by their teacher.
10
Abortion & Pregnancy Outcome
Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) reported they had considered

abortion, and 15% attempted an abortion. Among those that made
an abortion attempt, common methods included mixing coke and
paracetamol (74%) and over-the-counter medication (26%). Other
methods that were written in by respondents include “Mahogany”
and “I was told to use ‘balat ng bangkal’ (a type of medicinal herb) to
induce an abortion”.
A fifth of respondents were influenced by someone else to attempt

an abortion; among those that were influenced, 68% selected friends
and 32% selected partners as influencing their decision to seek out an
abortion. No participants reported their parents influenced them to
attempt an abortion.
Despite considerations and attempts for an abortion described

above, almost all respondents had a full-term live birth (83%) or
are currently pregnant (13%). Four participants had experienced
miscarriage or stillbirth, and one participant had received an
abortion.
Risk Factors
Respondents were surveyed on risk factors that include alcohol,

drugs, and smoking. Two-thirds of respondents had never gotten
drunk before their first pregnancy and 68% have never smoked. In
addition, almost all respondents (99%) never used drugs before their
first pregnancy.
For the 44 participants that did drink alcohol before their first
pregnancy, 65% drank 1-5 days of the month. Additional research
is needed to explore the circumstances surrounding alcohol use
to determine its potential association with unprotected sex and
subsequent pregnancy.
Health Services
Access to Prenatal Services
Fortunately, the vast majority (94%) of girls reported they accessed

prenatal services during their pregnancy. On average, participants
were around four months into their pregnancy when they had their
first prenatal checkup. According to guidelines created by the World
Health Organization (WHO) on antenatal care, pregnant women
should have their first visit to a health care provider within the first 12
weeks’ of gestation, with subsequent visits taking place at 20, 26, 30,
34, 36, 38, and 40 weeks’ of gestation.16 However, 17% of participants
waited until their third trimester to have their first prenatal check-up.
Most adolescents (84%) reported they felt comfortable discussing
their pregnancy with their health care provider during their
pregnancy.
Respondents had an average of six prenatal checkups during the

course of their pregnancy and 96% delivered their baby with a skilled
birth attendant present. Eight or more prenatal care visits can reduce
perinatal deaths by up to 8 per 1000 births when compared to four
11
visits, according to international guidance.16
Contraception
A third of participants stated they were unable to get information

about teen pregnancy prevention, reproductive health, or
contraceptives before getting pregnant. While this finding suggests
that discussions regarding sexual and reproductive health are
relatively common, it highlights the need for additional interventions
to achieve successful pregnancy prevention.
Source of Information Regarding Contraception
Healthcare Provider 34%
Roots of Health 30%

Teacher 30%
Internet 27%
Family 26%
Friends 23%
While 71% of participants reported feeling comfortable accessing

contraceptive or reproductive health services from health centers
after their pregnancies, many still experienced significant barriers in
accessing this care. The largest barrier to accessing contraception
faced by adolescents in this survey was lack of knowledge about
contraceptive options. Nearly half of participants (45%) stated that
the lack of information shared about contraceptives in their lives was
a significant barrier in accessing contraception. Participants also
shared that lack of availability of contraceptives (29%) and feeling
judged by healthcare workers (20%) impeded their ability to access
contraception.
Participants faced additional challenges in using contraception.

Three quarters of participants reported that a fear of side effects
prevented them from using contraception. Respondents also shared
that social chastisement from family members, peers, or health care
workers deterred them from accessing and using contraception.
Additionally, male partners’ objection to their contraceptive use (16%)
prevented adolescent women from practicing effective pregnancy
prevention. This point underscores the importance of targeting
young men in sexual health interventions including practicing
consent and using contraception to ensure sexual partners are
practicing safe sex and the autonomy of young girls is upheld.
Research on adolescent pregnancy overwhelmingly focuses on the
experiences of females which, while important, may miss a number
of risk factors associated with male partners that increase the
chances of early pregnancy.
12
Summary of Findings of
Advanced Analysis
Household Communication
Families are highly influential on the knowledge, attitudes, and

behaviors of adolescents related to sexual health. This survey
discovered that the educational attainment of parents has a
significant influence on household communication about sexual
health topics including puberty and pregnancy. Respondents who
had mothers and fathers with a college level education more
frequently reported being unable to have conversations about
puberty or pregnancy than respondents whose parents with lower
educational attainment. There are numerous reasons leading to
this lack of communication including parental expectations of
Summary of Findings of Advanced Analysis
children varying based on education and upbringing, or parents’

work schedule preventing them from being home and engaging
in these conversations. Additional research is needed to discern
the exact causes for communication breakdown but it is clear that
stakeholders must engage with parents to ensure that adolescents
are receiving adequate guidance on sexual health before they
begin engaging in their first romantic and sexual relationships.
Initiation of Sex
Adolescents who have sex earlier tend to get pregnant earlier. This
survey revealed that there is a positive correlation between the age
of first sex and age of first pregnancy meaning that an early age at
first sex is associated with an early age of first pregnancy. We also
discovered that financial challenges are surprisingly associated with
the age of first sex. Adolescents who report financial difficulties tend
to begin engaging in sex for the first time seven months later than
young girls who do not report having financial difficulties. Research
often suggests the opposite - that financial hardship could lead girls
13
to initiate sex earlier, so these findings are surprising. Further research

is needed to investigate this association further.
The likelihood of teen girls feeling coerced into sex differs based
on their level of self esteem. Respondents who agreed with the
statement “I wish I could have more respect for myself” more
frequently reported they had felt coerced into having sex in their life
than respondents who disagreed with the statement. Interventions
that foster self-esteem among adolescent girls are a critical step
towards reducing sexual coercion in adolescent relationships.
Additionally, adolescents who reported engaging in sex early on in

their relationship tend to be younger than adolescents who waited
several months into dating before having sex. Girls who reported
having sex within the first three months of a relationship were
an average of eight and a half months younger than those who
wait three or more months into a relationships to have sex. This
demonstrates the need to include young girls in any sexual health
interventions to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and
support to safely engage in their first sexual relationships.
Barriers to Contraception Use

Fear of side effects is a frequently cited reason Respondents whose
for not using contraception, suggesting parents discussed
the need for interventions to eliminate any
mistrust or fear of effective pregnancy
contraception
prevention. Fortunately, parents may reduce with them had
the risk of adolescent pregnancy by having greater trust in
conversations with their children about contraception and
contraception, pregnancy, and sex. Our reduced fear of side
analysis revealed that respondents whose
parents discussed contraception with them
effects.
had greater trust in contraception and
reduced fear of side effects. Interventions should emphasize the
importance of parental communication of contraception to reduce
mistrust and increase the uptake of effective methods of pregnancy
prevention. Certain methods of contraception have greater levels
Summary of Findings of Advanced Analysis
of mistrust than others. This survey revealed a strong association

between knowledge of an implant as a method of contraception and
fear of side effects. Implants are a long-acting, effective and discreet
method of contraception. This finding demonstrates the urgent need
to design interventions that reduce mistrust and increase uptake of
this safe and effective method of contraception.
Abortion
Respondents having thought about getting an abortion differs based

on their attempt to hide their pregnancy. Hiding a pregnancy has a
large effect on the consideration and attempt of abortion among
adolescents in Palawan. Respondents who hid their pregnancy had
2.83 (95% CI: 1.12, 7.11) greater odds of having considered an abortion.
Similarly, respondents who hid their pregnancy had 5.98 (95% CI: 1.63,
21.94) times the odds of having attempted an abortion.
14
A Summary of Survey Findings on Teenage Photo: Katherine Jack
Key Recommendations
Department of Education (DepEd)
Findings Recommendations Resources
The gaps in sex education • Implement Teacher Training

received by participants were comprehensive Lesson Plans
obvious throughout each of the sexuality education
interviews. Many participants (CSE) for young
themselves wished they had people. Sex education
used contraception when they should outline all
began having sex. However, contraceptive options
adolescent girls face numerous available to young
barriers that impede their people to ensure that
ability to effectively prevent as they begin having
pregnancy. These responses sex they are doing so
highlight the need for enhanced safely and preventing
sex education that includes any unplanned
accurate information regarding pregnancies.
different contraception options Furthermore,
and how to use and access sex education in
them. It should also debunk schools and external
misinformation surrounding programming should
pregnancy prevention. include messaging
Additionally, sex education emphasizing the
should include strategies on importance of
partner communication and consent in sexual
highlight the importance relationships. These
of consent in all aspects of interventions should
romantic relationships. specifically engage
Key Recommendations
with young men

as participants
frequently reported
feeling pressured
by their partners to
start having sex, often
unprotected.
• Train teachers in
teaching CSE.
15
Department of Education (DepEd)
30% of participants were bullied • Ensure that teachers

by a teacher. are compassionate
and nonjudgmental in
providing education
and support to young
people.
The level of preparedness when • Allow Guidance

beginning to have sex was Counselors to
varied. Several participants distribute condoms
expressed they were ready to to at-risk youth and
engage in sex with their partner make referrals to
because of their love, trust, and health centers.
desire for a family with their
partner. Other participants
discussed how they were
ready to start having sex with
their partner but were not
prepared to do so safely (i.e.,
using contraception). Neither
were they prepared for the
consequences of unprotected
sex.
Respondents whose parents • Include reproductive

discussed contraception health topics and
with them had greater communication
trust in contraception in Parent Teacher
and reduced fear of side Association (PTA)
effects. Interventions should programming.
emphasize the importance
of parental communication
of contraception to reduce
mistrust and increase the
uptake of effective methods of
pregnancy prevention.
Department of Health (DOH)
17% of participants waited until • Implement the KADA KADA Network

their third trimester to have their Network Guidelines Playbook
Key Recommendations
first prenatal check-up. to ensure that

government health
centers are youth-
friendly.
16
Department of Health (DOH)
Several participants did not • Train and incentivize Barangay Health

have positive experiences when Barangay Health Worker Training
visiting health facilities. Among Center staff to Module
these negative experiences provide youth-
were long lines at barangay friendly, non- Rural Health Unit
health centers, judgment from judgemental services. Staff Training
bystanders, and condescending Module
treatment by health workers • Ensure that all
for getting pregnant at a young healthcare workers
age. are compassionate
and nonjudgmental
to reduce stigma on
young people seeking
reproductive health
services.
The Commission on Population (POPCOM)
Respondents whose parents • Implement the

discussed contraception Konektado Tayo
with them had greater program widely,
trust in contraception ensuring that the
and reduced fear of side reproductive health
effects. Interventions should conversations include
emphasize the importance discussions on
of parental communication contraception.
on contraception to reduce
mistrust and increase the • Through the
uptake of effective methods of Konektado Tayo
pregnancy prevention. program, provide
parents with research
that demonstrates
that comprehensive
sex education helps
young people delay
sexual activity.
Family members often equated • Through the “It’s Ok

entering a relationship with to Delay!” program,
pregnancy or marriage and educate young
did not discuss contraceptive people on all their
methods to prevent pregnancy. contraceptive
Key Recommendations
options, stressing
not only that they
can delay, but also
that they can use
contraception before
childbearing and/or
marriage.
17
The Commission on Population (POPCOM)
• Recognizing that “you

can’t manage what
you can’t measure,”
track adolescent
contraceptive use
throughout the
country to know
baseline adolescent
contraceptive use in
the Philippines.
• Ensure that all

healthcare workers
are compassionate
and nonjudgmental
to reduce stigma on
young people seeking
reproductive health
services.
Participants’ responses reveal • Develop a program

that male partners often for boys and men
refuse contraceptive use in the in order to enhance
relationship, which generates a responsible
significant barrier to adolescent partnership and
girls seeking any form of fatherhood.
reproductive health services,
including but not limited to
contraception.
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
17% of participants waited until • Implement Sangguniang

their third trimester to have their reproductive health Kabataan ASRH
first prenatal check-up. outreach programs. Orientation Manual
To reduce barriers
to health services,
conduct community
outreach targeting
young women and
girls to inform them
on where and how
Key Recommendations
to access free or low

cost reproductive
health services or
other social support
services. This
intervention should
include referrals
to accurate online
information and
services available to
adolescents.
18
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
Several participants did not • Ensure that barangay

have positive experiences when health centers are
visiting health facilities. Among providing youth-
these negative experiences friendly services.
were long lines at barangay
health centers, judgment from
bystanders, and condescending
treatment by health workers
for getting pregnant at a young
age.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Respondents whose parents • Include guidance Parent Training

discussed contraception on parental Module
with them had greater communications
trust in contraception about reproductive
and reduced fear of side health in Family
effects. Interventions should Development
emphasize the importance Sessions.
of parental communication
of contraception to reduce
mistrust and increase the
uptake of effective methods of
The gaps in sex education • Incorporate training

received by participants were on Adolescent
obvious throughout each of the Sexual and
interviews. Many participants Reproductive Health
themselves wished they had in Youth Development
used contraception when they Sessions.
began having sex. However,
adolescent girls face numerous
barriers that impede their
ability to effectively prevent
pregnancy. These responses
highlight the need for enhanced
sex education that includes
Key Recommendations
accurate information regarding

different contraception options
and how to use and access
them. It should also debunk
misinformation surrounding
Additionally, sex education
should include strategies on
partner communication and
highlight the importance
19
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
of consent in all aspects of

romantic relationships.
• Develop
programming that will
support and protect
girls.
Key Recommendations
20
Conclusion
This report highlights key findings from a quantitative online
survey regarding risk factors for adolescent pregnancies focused
on Palawan, Philippines. The collective findings of this research
demonstrate the need to include both men and women in
comprehensive sexuality education to address consent, sexual
health knowledge, and partner communication. Furthermore, parents
are a key stakeholder in facilitating the successful prevention of
adolescent pregnancy through enhanced communication regarding
accurate and age appropriate sexual and reproductive health. This
report also suggests the need to enhance the self-esteem among
adolescent girls to ensure they are equipped to enter into safe and
supportive romantic and sexual relationships.
The findings of this survey demonstrate the need for key

interventions to address these risk factors and have the potential to
mitigate adolescent pregnancies, outlined in the recommendations
above. It is essential that reproductive health organizations and allies
across the Philippines collaborate to address the urgent sexual and
reproductive health needs of young people across the country. Doing
so will build healthier generations and prevent poor health outcomes
for years to come.
Conclusion
21
About Roots of Health

Photo: Isabel Corthier
Also known as Ugat ng Kalusugan, Roots of Health works

to empower women, young people and families in
Palawan, Philippines to lead healthy reproductive lives
by providing rights- and results-based educational and
clinical services.
Since its inception in 2009 and through the onslaught of

the COVID-19 pandemic, Roots of Health has positively
impacted the lives of more than 171,000 women and
young people by improving their reproductive health
and decreasing the number of unplanned pregnancies
and HIV incidence through comprehensive sexuality
education and access to modern contraceptives
through a clinical services program.
To address teen pregnancy, Roots of Health provides

young people with comprehensive sexuality education
in person and online. The organization also provides
nonjudgmental, youth-friendly contraceptive services
in communities and two clinics, including one
designated specifically for young people aged 24 years
old and below. Roots of Health also provides training
and technical support to key stakeholder partners
on the basics of adolescent sexual and reproductive
health.
Roots of Health is registered in the United States as a

501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
In the Philippines, Ugat ng Kalusugan is accredited
by the Department of Health, the Commission on
Population, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, the Provincial Government of Palawan,
About
and the City of Puerto Princesa.
22
About EMpower
Photo: Dave Sarabia, Our Better World
EMpower sits at the nexus of two worlds — finance and youth

leadership — where they put smart money behind smart
solutions. By connecting insights across silos, sectors and
generations, they bring together the contributions of many:
• They work alongside young people — the heart and

soul of their mission. Young voices and experiences
shape all that they do. Through young people’s
eyes, they can see current realities, possibilities for
a new reality and a collaborative path to get there.
• They work alongside finance professionals — an
engine for change. They help channel the finance
sector’s resources toward better, faster and bolder
investing in the young leaders emerging right
now, offering a range of engagement from light-
touch giving to deeper connections with youth and
communities.
• They work alongside grantee partners and youth
development peers — the local experts. Their
partners know better than anyone what’s really
happening in their communities, and have powerful
insights around what it takes to put big ideas
into action. EMpower learns from and with their
partners, combining partner local expertise with
their global knowledge to forge new possibilities for
youth.
EMpower has been weaving these contributions together for

20 years — and they’re just getting started. Their work today
builds upon the best of their legacy: high-touch connections,
locally-driven grant making and a curation of global best
practices. As they move into the next decade, they are
deepening their impact through more and bigger grants,
About
made better through youth-centered decision making and

an expanded footprint on the ground. At a time when our
world needs shared efforts more than ever, EMpower is proud
to connect many forces for change to create a better world.
23
About The Mailman

School of Public Health
Photo: Robelle Cortezano
For nearly 100 years, the Columbia University Mailman School of

Public Health has been a global leader in advancing education,
research and practice to prevent disease and disability and improve
the health of entire populations. Since 1922, the Mailman School
has been at the forefront of public health research, education, and
community collaboration. Addressing everything from chronic
disease to HIV/AIDS to healthcare policy, the School tackles today’s
pressing public health issues, translating research into action.
Every year, Roots of Health hosts graduate students from the

Mailman School for their practicum field placement. This is an
opportunity for students to apply the concepts and methods of
social science and public health learned in the classroom to actual
public health problems.
About
24
Appendix 1:
References
1. The World Bank. (n.d.). Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000
women Ages 15-19). Data. (2021). https://data.worldbank.org/
indicator/SP.ADO.TFRT.
2. The World Bank. (n.d.). Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000
women Ages 15-19) - Philippines. Data. https://data.worldbank.org/
indicator/SP.ADO.TFRT?locations=PH.
3. Philippines Statistics Authority and ICF. (2018, October). Philippines
National Demographic and Health Survey. Quezon City,
Philippines; Philippines Statistics Authority and ICF. [PDF]
4. UNFPA. (2020, January). Eliminating Teenage Pregnancy in the
Philippines. Mandaluyong City, Philippines; UNFPA. [PDF]
5. The President of the Philippines. (2021, June). Executive Order
No. 141: Adopting as a National Priority the Implementation of
Measures to Address the Root Causes of the Rising Number of
Teenage Pregnancies, and Mobilizing Government Agencies for
the Purpose. Manila, Philippines; The President of the Philippines.
6. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Adolescent Pregnancy. https://
www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-
pregnancy.
7. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/
downloads/2021/06jun/20210625-EO-141-RRD.pdf
8. Abalos, J. B. (2014). Trends and determinants of age at union of
men and women in the Philippines. Journal of Family Issues, 35(12),
1624–1641. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x14538024
9. Xenos, P., & Kabamalan, M. (2002). A comparative history of age
structure and Social transitions among Asian youth. Population,
Resources and Development, (110), 57–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-
4020-3464-4_4
10. Osorio, A., Lopez-del Burgo, C., Carlos, S., Ruiz-Canela, M., Delgado,
M., de Irala, J. (2012). First sexual intercourse and subsequent
regret in three developing countries. The Journal of adolescent
health, 50(3): 271-8.
11. Upadhyay, U.D., Hindin, M.J. (2006). Do perceptions of friends’
behaviors affect age at first sex? Evidence from Cebu, Philippines.
The Journal of adolescent health: Official publication of the
Society for Adolescent Medicine, 39(4): 570-7.
12. Upadhyay, U.D., Hindin, M.J. (2007). The influence of parents’ marital
relationship and women’s status on children’s age at first sex in
Cebu, Philippines. Studies in Family Planning, 38(3): 173-86.
13. UNFPA, UNESCO and WHO. (2015). Sexual and Reproductive Health
of Young People in Asia and the Pacific: A review of issues, policies
and programmes. Bangkok; UNFPA. [PDF]
14. PhilHealth implements the National Health Insurance Program
that aims to provide Filipinos with financial assistance and
Appendix 1
access to affordable health services. It covers hospital costs,

subsidy for room and boarding, medicine, and professional
services.
15. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a human
25
development measure of the national government implemented

by the Department of Social Welfare & Development that
provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to
improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged
0-18.
16. WHO. (2016). New guidelines on antenatal care for a positive
pregnancy experience. Geneva, Switzerland. https://www.who.int/
news/item/07-11-2016-new-guidelines-on-antenatal-care-for-a-
positive-pregnancy-experience.
Appendix 1
26
Appendix 2:
Survey Questions
Demographics
What is your date of birth? MM-DD-YYYY
How old are you? 15 - 24
What barangay do you live in? PPC barangays
Where is your hometown? PPC, Palawan Municipalities,

Outside of Palawan
How long have you been living in your Less than 6 months, More than
barangay? 6 months but less than 1 year,
More than 1 year
Who do you currently live with? Live on their own, Live with
family, Live with friend, Live
with baby’s dad, Live with
different partner from baby’s
dad, other (specify)
Are you a PhilHealth member or dependent? Yes, No
Are you a 4Ps/NHTS Member? Yes, No
Educational Background & School Experience
Are you currently attending school? Yes, No
What is your highest educational Elementary (Not Graduated,

attainment? Graduated), High School
(Not Graduated, Graduated),
College(Not Graduated,
Graduated) , Vocational
School (Not Graduated,
Graduated), ALS (NG, G)
If Q15 = NO, Did you stop going because of Yes, No

your pregnancy?
Did you like to go to school? Like, Dislike, Neutral

(3 point scale)
Appendix 2
Did you have difficulty in any of the following Yes, No

(check all that apply): complying with class
requirements? difficulty in dealing with your
classmates? difficulty in financial support?
27
Work, Income, & Financial Support
What is your source of financial support? Your job, Spouse’s job, Savings,
Money from parents, Social
services, Loans, Other financial
aid (specify)
Are you doing anything to make money? Yes, No
If YES, what kind of work do you do? Worked for private household,
Worked for private
establishment, Worked for
govt/ govt corporation, Self
employed without employee,
Employer in own family-
operated farm or business,
Worked with pay in own
family-operated farm or
business, Worked without pay
in own family-operated farm
or business (unpaid family
work)
If YES, how many hours do you work in a Less than 10 hours, 10 - 19

week? (Duration of work) hours, 20 - 39 hours, 40 hours
or more
How much do you earn in an average week? #
If NO, why are you not able to make money? Still in School, Enough support
from family/partner/husband,
Time barriers (not enough
time to engage in work),
Distance barrier (too far from
place of work), Focused on
taking care of child, Other
(specify)
How long did you wait to start working after Less than 1 month, 1 month to
your pregnancy? 3 months, More than 3 months
to 6 months, More than 6
months to 1 year, More than 1
year
Educational Background & School Experience
What is your mother’s highest educational Elementary (Not Graduated,

Appendix 2
Graduated), ALS (NG, G),
Unknown
28
Educational Background & School Experience (continuation)
What is your father’s highest educational Elementary (Not Graduated,

Graduated), ALS (NG, G),
Unknown
What kind of family structure did you have Nuclear, Extended, Single-
growing up? parent, Step- Family, Other
Families
How many siblings do you have? #
What is your birth order in the family? Birth Order Options
When you were single, did you ever live Yes, No

away from your family for a period of three
months or more?
At what age did you first live away from your #

family?
Why did you live away from home the first School, Work, Other (specify)
time that you did?
Before getting pregnant where did you live? Family home with immediate
family, Family home with
relatives, On my own in
a boarding house, Other
(specify)
First Pregnancy
At what age did your mom get her first #

pregnancy?
Do you have an older sister who got an early Yes, No

pregnancy?
Do you have a cousin who got an early Yes, No

pregnancy?
At what age did you become pregnant for #

the first time?
Were you in school/studying/still a student Yes, No

Appendix 2
when you got pregnant?
Did you want to become pregnant when Yes, No

you did?
29
First Pregnancy (continuation)
If Q71 = YES, what are the reasons why you Financial, Peer Pressure,
wanted to get pregnant? Partner Pressure, Curiosity,
Love/Trust, Not by choice,
Other (specify)
Did you know about family planning Yes, No

methods/ contraceptives at that time?
If YES, which methods? DMPA, Pills, Implant, IUD, NFP/

Calendar, Withdrawal, Other
(Supply answer)
Do you think NFP is effective at preventing Yes, No

pregnancy? (Ask for everyone) NFP define
and examples.
What was your partners age when he got #

you pregnant?
Household Functioning
Growing up, my parents/parent worked Yes, No

beyond 8 hours everyday
Growing up, I got along well with my parents Strongly agree, Somewhat
or other adults in my household. agree, Somewhat disagree,
Strongly disagree
Growing up, I felt that enough support was Physical, Emotional, Spiritual,
given by my parents or other adults in my Financial
household on the following areas: (Please
check all that apply).
Growing up, I felt useful and important to my Strongly agree, Somewhat

family. agree, Somewhat disagree,
Strongly disagree
Growing up, I was able to talk with my Alcohol, Drugs, Sex,

parents about these topics. Check all that Contraception, Pregnancy,
apply. Romantic Relationships,
Puberty, Gender Orientation/
Identity, Other (specify)
How satisfied were you with these Very unsatisfied, Somewhat

conversations? unsatisfied, somewhat
satisfied, very satisfied
What topics were you not able to talk to Alcohol, Drugs, Sex,
Appendix 2
your parents about that you wish you had Contraception, Pregnancy,
been able to? Romantic Relationships,
Puberty, Gender Orientation/
Identity, Other (specify)
Does anyone in your family become drunk Yes, No

at least once a week?
30
Self-Esteem
Have you ever experienced any form of Yes, No

emotional, physical, or sexual abuse at
some point before your first pregnancy?
How old were you when you experienced Age

sexual abuse?
Have you ever felt pressure to have sex or Yes, No

preform any sexual act before your first
pregnancy?
Have you ever felt coerced into having sex Yes, No

or perform any sexual act before your first
pregnancy?
I have high self-esteem. Strongly Agree, Agree,

Disagree, Strongly Disagree
I certainly feel useless at times. Strongly Agree, Agree,

(Reverse-scored) Disagree, Strongly Disagree
I feel that I’m a person of worth, at least on Strongly Agree, Agree,

an equal plane with others. Disagree, Strongly Disagree
I wish I could have more respect for myself. Strongly Agree, Agree,
(Reverse-scored) Disagree, Strongly Disagree
Romantic Relationships
How old were you when you had your first #

boyfriend?
Were any of your boyfriends older than 20? Yes, No
Age at first kissing? #
Age at first sexual experimentation #
First Sex
How old were you when you had your first #

sex?
How old was your partner when you had #

your first sex?
Appendix 2
How long into your relationship did you start Input duration
having sex with your boyfriend?
Where did you have your first sex? Parent’s home, lodge/inn,
boarding house, outdoors
(Forest, beach, etc.), friend/
relative’s house
31
First Sex (continuation)
How willing were you to have sex the first Scale (1 - 5)

time?
What was your reason for engaging in your Financial, Peer Pressure,
first sex? Partner Pressure, Curiosity,
Love/Trust, Not by choice,
Others, Boredom/Nothing else
to do
Did you use any substance like alcohol or Yes, No

drugs the first time you had sex?
Did your partner use any substance like Yes, No

alcohol or drugs the first time you had sex?
Risk Factors
Have you ever gotten drunk before your first Yes, No

pregnancy?
Before your first pregnancy, how often did 0, 1-5 days in a month, 6-10
you drink alcohol before having sex? days in a month, 11-15 days in a
month, 16-19 days in a month,
20 days or more in a month
Did you ever use drugs before your first Yes, No

pregnancy?
Before your first pregnancy, how often did 0, 1-5 days in a month,
you use drugs before having sex? 6-10 days in a month, 11-15
days in a month, 16-19 days in
a month, 20 days or more in a
month
Did you ever smoke cigarettes or vape Yes, No

before your first pregnancy?
Reactions to Pregnancy
Did you hide your pregnancy? Yes, No
How did you feel when you knew that you Confusion, fear, sadness,
got pregnant? disappointment, anger,
happiness, surprise
Have you experienced being bullied by Yes, No

another student while you were pregnant?
Appendix 2
Have you experienced being shamed by a Yes, No

teacher while you were pregnant?
32
Reactions to Pregnancy (continuation)
Have you experienced being outcasted by Yes, No

classmates while you were pregnant ?
Have you experienced being bullied by any Classmates, Teachers, Family,

of the following? Relatives, Co-workers, Others
(specify)
Abortion
Some people have thought of getting an Yes, No

abortion. Have you ever thought about that
when you knew you were pregnant?
Did you ever attempt to get an abortion? Yes, No
Did you try any of these methods to get an Mix coke and paracetamol,
abortion? Drink cooking oil, Went
to a “hilot” to have the
baby removed, Availed of
abortifacient from a midwife
or doctor, Bought over the
counter drugs (ex. kortal,)
to use for abortion, Other
(Specify)
Were you ever influenced by someone else Yes, No

to attempt abortion?
Who influenced you to attempt an abortion? Partner, Parent/caregiver,

Mark all that apply. Healthcare Provider, Sibling/
Cousin, Friend, Uncle/Aunt,
Other (specify)
Pregnancy Outcome
What was the outcome of your first Currently pregnant, Live Birth,
pregnancy? Miscarriage (Baby died 20
weeks in the pregnancy), Still
Birth (Baby died before or
during delivery), Aborted, Died
(within 1 month)
Access to Services
Appendix 2
Did you avail of prenatal check up in any Yes, No

time during your pregnancy?
33
Access to Services (continuation)
If YES, How many months were you in your 1-9

pregnancy when you had your prenatal
check up?
If YES, How many times? #
How comfortable were you discussing with Very uncomfortable,

your doctor/service provider about your somewhat uncomfortable,
pregnancy. neutral, somewhat
comfortable, very comfortable
Where did you access your prenatal Barangay Health Center,

check-ups? Hilot, Private OBGYN/doctor,
Hospital, Ugat ng Kalusugan
Health Clinic, City Health Office
Which of these were barriers to access I Feel Ashamed, Financial

prenatal services? Capacity, Lack of proper
information, Lines are long
in health center, Lacking
apparatus/equipment,
Rude Health Worker, Lack
of Quality Services, Lack of
Confidentiality, Other (specify)
Where did you deliver your baby? At Home, Birthing Home/

Lying In Clinic, Hospital, Health
Center, Other
Relationships
How comfortable were you talking about Very Comfortable, Somewhat

condoms with your partner before your first Comfortable, Somewhat
pregnancy? Uncomfortable
Very Uncomfortable

contraceptives with your partner before Comfortable, Somewhat
your first pregnancy? Uncomfortable, Very
Uncomfortable

having a baby with your partner before your Comfortable, Somewhat
first pregnancy? Uncomfortable, Very
Uncomfortable
Appendix 2
34
Partner Support
What is your relationship with the baby’s Married/Living together,

father? Living together/ not married,
Divorced, No relationship,
Married/separated, Not living/
not married, Widowed, Other
(specify)
How involved the father is on taking care of 5 (Very Involved) to 0 (Not

the baby? (only if together) Involved At all)
How often do you see the baby’s father? Never see him, rarely, once a
week, 2-3x a week, everyday
Contraceptive Services
Before getting pregnant, were you able Yes, No

to get information about teen pregnancy
prevention, reproductive health, or
contraceptives?
If yes, what were your sources of School - taught by Ugat,

information? School - taught by teacher,
School - taught by Other,
Friends/Classmates, Family,
Internet, Health Care Provider
(clinic, hospital, barangay
health center)
Do you feel comfortable accessing Yes, No

contraceptive or reproductive health
services from health centers?
What are the barriers to accessing Lack of knowledge on

contraception? (know where to get, where contraceptives, Lack of
to buy) availability of contraceptives
Lack of communication/
information being shared
on contraceptives, Feel
discriminated by health
worker, Other (Specify)
What are the barriers to using Social chastisement, Fear

contraception? or experience of side
effects, Partner against
using contraceptives, Other
(Specify)
Appendix 2
35
4/F Karldale Bldg.,

National Highway, San Pedro
Puerto Princesa City
Palawan, Philippines 5300
+63-998-589-4159
info@rootsofhealth.org
rootsofhealth.org
@rootsofhealth

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Summary of Findings of Key Recommendations

Conclusion About Roots of Health,

Appendix 1: References Appendix 2: Survey Questions

According to data obtained from the Philippines National

In response to the worsening teen pregnancy situation, in June

Health Law, which to date has not been fully implemented.

This research will facilitate a better understanding of the contributing

Teenage and adolescent pregnancies can and do occur in countries

Knowledge of potential risk factors for adolescent pregnancy specific

It is important to note that early sex intiation/sex outside of marriage

and rather use informal sources such as their friends. In the

sex positivity, while they increase boys’ likelihood of engaging in

Roots of Health aims to add to the current knowledge base regarding

The survey was created using KoboCollect and was a self-

Survey respondents were between the ages of 15 and 24 with

All respondents completed at least an elementary education.

respondents reported that they stopped going to school

Eight out of ten respondents shared they enjoyed going to

Out of all surveyed sources of income to provide for family

Family & Household

More than half of respondents (58%) lived with their immediate

One factor of interest in this survey was parental educational

educational attainment was elementary school, not graduated (18%),

Some Junior High

Some Junior High

Questions regarding household functioning in the survey were

Three quarters of participants grew up in a household where either

A majority of participants (71%) felt they had enough financial

support from their parents or other adults in their household. Fewer

Participants were frequently unable to A majority of

pregnancy (41%), and romantic relationships (39%). Only 36% of

These findings indicate that a significant lack of communication

Questions regarding self-esteem in the survey were organized into

Self-Reported Levels of Self Esteem

This survey also assessed a range of self-esteem measures relying

“I have high self esteem”

“I feel useless at times”

“I am a person of worth, at least on an equal

“I wish I could have more respect for myself.”

Half of the survey respondents experienced some form of

A third of respondents reported having felt 20% felt

Relationships & Sex

Overall, adolescents appear to begin sexual

First Kiss First Experimenting First Sex First Pregnancy

A timeline (in months) of the development of romantic relationships of

Half of participants reported they had a boyfriend over 20 years of

unwilling to engage in their first sex. It is important to consider cultural

Adolescent girls typically wait several months into their relationship

Few participants reported they or their partners used substances at

Communication between sexual partners is a critical component of

Survey responses revealed that male partners were frequently

Though most respondents (81%) reported that they got pregnant

With regards to knowledge about contraceptives prior to pregnancy,

Fear was the most commonly reported

and sadness and fear were more frequently

Over half of participants (58%) stated they had 30% of students

Prevalence of bullying and shaming in school due to pregnancy

Abortion & Pregnancy Outcome

Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) reported they had considered

A fifth of respondents were influenced by someone else to attempt

Despite considerations and attempts for an abortion described