[Adolescent pregnancy: its causes and repercussions in the dyad]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2017 Mar-Apr;55(2):223-229.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Teen pregnancy (TP) is a global public health problem that affects the physical and emotional health, educational and economic status of prospective parents and often also affects the product of gestation. In most cases, the TP is an unplanned event, and often difficult to accept by the couple. But it is more complicated for the future mother who suddenly finds herself without the protection of the couple, her family and her school companions. The risks to which the young mothers are exposed are diverse, but include: submitting to a clandestine abortion, falling into drug addiction, prostitution and crime; Also, it should be noted that with so many adversities, she can develop child maltreatment and frequently, she may be attacked at home, at school or in society giving rise to the twin phenomena of child abuse. To address this problem, it is necessary to develop preventive strategies aimed at risk of early pregnancy or acquiring sexually transmitted diseases by implementing educational programs for personal, family or schools for this age group range. It stresses the need for these programs to be consistent and persistent, as a basic strategy to reduce the consequent risks to unplanned or accepted sex life.

El embarazo en adolescentes (EA) es un problema de salud pública mundial que altera la salud física, emocional, la condición educativa y económica de los futuros padres; asimismo, frecuentemente se afecta también al producto de la gestación. El EA habitualmente no es un evento planeado o deseado y, frecuentemente, difícil de aceptar por la pareja, aunque quizá sea más marcado en la futura madre, quien bruscamente se puede encontrar sin protección. Ello se agrava cuando su condición económica no le permite atender sus propias necesidades y las de su hijo. Los riesgos a los que se expone la joven son diversos, pero destacan: someterse a un aborto clandestino, caer en adicciones, prostitución y delincuencia. Para hacer frente a este problema es necesario desarrollar estrategias preventivas orientadas al riesgo de embarazo temprano o la adquisición de enfermedades por transmisión sexual, mediante la implementación de programas educativos de alcance personal, familiar o escolar para este grupo etario. Se insiste en la necesidad de que dichos programas sean constantes y persistentes, como una estrategia básica que permita disminuir los riesgos consecuentes a una vida sexual no planeada o aceptada.

Keywords: Adolescent health; Child abuse; Pregnancy in adolescence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health
  • Child Abuse / prevention & control
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mexico
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence* / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence* / psychology
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Unsafe Sex / prevention & control
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology