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The antecedents of adolescent pregnancy in a Brazilian squatter community
1Institute of Child Health, London.
A case-control study among first time pregnant adolescent girls in a squatter community in Recife, Brazil, showed that 46 per cent had already dropped out of school (P less than 0.001) and had a job at the time of their pregnancy (P less than 0.001; RR 5.5). Two-thirds came from single-parent households (P less than 0.001; RR 2.8) with weak supervision at home. There was some indication of modelling effect, in that more pregnant adolescents had mothers who became pregnant before the age of 15, or close family members who were adolescent mothers, but the difference was not statistically significant. By contrast, the peer group effect was significant (P less than 0.05; RR 1.9). More amongst the pregnant adolescents had commenced menarche before age 13, and twice as many compared to controls had started regular dating before that age (P less than 0.05; RR 2.3). There was a striking lack of knowledge concerning menarche, conception and contraception. The implications of the findings for school and health services in squatter communities are discussed. Four main antecedents on the path to parenthood when the adolescent can benefit from counseling are identified.
A case-control study among first time pregnant adolescent girls in a squatter community in Recife, Brazil, showed that 46 per cent had already dropped out of school (P less than 0.001) and had a job at the time of their pregnancy (P less than 0.001; RR 5.5). Two-thirds came from single-parent households (P less than 0.001; RR 2.8) with weak supervision at home. There was some indication of modelling effect, in that more pregnant adolescents had mothers who became pregnant before the age of 15, or close family members who were adolescent mothers, but the difference was not statistically significant. By contrast, the peer group effect was significant (P less than 0.05; RR 1.9). More amongst the pregnant adolescents had commenced menarche before age 13, and twice as many compared to controls had started regular dating before that age (P less than 0.05; RR 2.3). There was a striking lack of knowledge concerning menarche, conception and contraception. The implications of the findings for school and health services in squatter communities are discussed. Four main antecedents on the path to parenthood when the adolescent can benefit from counseling are identified.