title: Sociodemographic, sexual, reproductive and relationship characteristics of adolescents having an abortion in Portugal: a homogeneous or a heterogeneous group?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to describe the sociodemographic, sexual, reproductive and relational characteristics of adolescents having an abortion in Portugal and to explore the differences between three adolescent age groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited a nationally representative sample of 224 adolescents (<16 years, n =  18; 16-17 years, n =  103; 18-19 years, n =  103) who had an abortion. Data were collected from 16 health care services that provide abortion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adolescents were predominantly single, were from non-nuclear families, had low-socioeconomic status and were students. Mean age at first sexual intercourse was 15 years and mean gynaecological age was 5 years. Most had had multiple sexual partners, and for most it was their first pregnancy. At conception, the majority were involved in a long-term romantic relationship, were using contraception but did not identify the contraceptive failure that led to the pregnancy. Significant age group differences were found. Compared with the younger age groups, the 18-19 year age group was more frequently married or living with a partner, had finished school, had attained a higher educational level (as had their partner), intended to go to university, and had a greater number of sexual partners. Compared with the other groups, those under 16 years of age reported earlier age at menarche and at first sexual intercourse, and had a lower gynaecological age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study characterises the life contexts of Portuguese adolescents who had an abortion. It highlights the need to recognise the heterogeneity of this group according to age. The findings have important implications for the development of age-appropriate guidelines to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences , Cognitive-Behavioural Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.|b Psychological Intervention Unit , Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital, Coimbra University Hospitals (CHUC EPE) , Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences , Cognitive-Behavioural Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.|c School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Lusófona University of Humanities and Technology , Lisbon , Portugal.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: b Psychological Intervention Unit , Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital, Coimbra University Hospitals (CHUC EPE) , Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Araújo Pedrosa
authors.affiliation: d Division of Infant, Youth, Reproductive and Sexual Health , Directorate-General of Health , Lisbon , Portugal.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.affiliation: e Obstetric Service , Coimbra University Hospitals (CHUC EPE) , Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bombas
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences , Cognitive-Behavioural Research Centre (CINEICC), University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.|b Psychological Intervention Unit , Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital, Coimbra University Hospitals (CHUC EPE) , Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Canavarro
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011174:Portugal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Abortion; adolescents; age differences; contraception