Determinant factors in Ecuador related to pregnancy among adolescents aged 15 or less.
OBJECTIVE
Determine social factors related to pregnancy among young adolescents.


METHODS
We obtained socio-demographic data from early adolescent nulliparas aged < or = 15 years.


RESULTS
During the study period at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil-Ecuador 201 early adolescent nulliparous patients of low socio-economic status were surveyed and compared with 201 low socio-economic nulliparous controls aged 20 to 30. Mean age of adolescents was 14+/-0.6 years, 58.7% of them were aged 14. Age of menarche and sexual initiation was lower among adolescents (11.8+/-0.9 vs 12.8+/-2 years and 12.6+/-1.1 vs 16.2+/-5 years, respectively, p<0.05). A higher rate of adolescents initiated sexually before menarche onset (18.4% vs 5%, p<0.05). The rate of those who wanted to become pregnant, had adequate prenatal care and had knowledge of conception, used contraception or had knowledge of any contraceptive method prior to pregnancy was significantly lower in adolescents (16.9% vs 86.5%; 37.3% vs 94.5%; 18% vs 70.1%; 6.5% vs 89.5%; 42.8% vs 84.5%, respectively, p<0.05). Age of sexual partner was lower in the adolescent group (20.4+/-3.4 vs 30+/-8 years, p<0.05). Compared to controls, higher rates of adolescents were school dropouts, had problems with the law and were involved in domestic violence (87% vs 9.9%, 7.5% vs 0.5%, 44.7% vs 2.5%, respectively, p <0.05). None of the adolescents were living with mother and father in a complete family structure. Parental illiteracy was higher among adolescents (9% vs 3.5%, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In this low socio-economic population, early sexual initiation, poor reproductive health knowledge and the disruption of family structure were the main social factors related to pregnancy among adolescents aged 15 or less.
Chedraui
Peter A
PA
Labor Unit of the Enrique C. Sotomayor, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Guayaquil, Ecuador. peterchedraui@yahoo.com
Hidalgo
Luis A
LA
Chávez
Maria J
MJ
San Miguel
Glenda
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires