[Birth rate among adolescents in the district of San Miguelito, in 1987]

We surveyed the Registry of Live Births of women who lived in San Miguelito District, from january to december, 1987, and who gave birth in a hospital in Panama City or in their home. The study showed that 20.5% of those registered corresponded to mothers from 14 to 19 years old; and also that 71.2% of the mothers lived in the Belisario Porras area of San Miguelito. The global rate of births in minors of 19 years of age was 6.79%. The study showed also that 69.8% of the mothers were "common-law wives", 13.2% were married and 16.9% were single. We recommend the preparation of Sexual Education Programs to be used in the primary and secondary schools with the objective of achieving a sensible and responsible sexuality in the Panamanian adolescent.