title: [The legal framework to prevent teenage pregnancies].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are legal regulations about sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents. However, this legal framework (LF) may have contradictory elements: there are laws assuring confidentiality and access to contraception at any age but there are other laws that consider any sexual contact with an adolescent younger than 14 a sexual assault, whose report to the legal authorities in mandatory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the knowledge and clinical practice of primary health care (PHC) providers regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study collecting data using semi-structured interviews made to midwives and directors of PHC centers. Analysis of the data was based on Grounded Theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is a differentiated clinical care for pregnancy prevention among adolescents if they are over 14 years old. This is due to the LF, specifically to the sexual crimes law (19,927) and the law about regulation of the fertility (20,418). The differences affect health care, access and counseling about contraception and confidentiality. Healthcare of teenagers under the age of 14 is perceived as problematic for providers, due to the possible legal implications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LF causes insecurity on health care providers and derives in a differentiated clinical approach according to the patient´s age. This is a barrier to provide timely and confidential access to counseling and contraception.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luttges
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Troncoso
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leyton
authors.forename: Temistocles
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eguiguren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008875:Middle Aged; D008486:Physician Executives; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research