Clinical-epidemiological and psychosocial characterization of teenage pregnancy in a health area of Holguín, Cuba

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical stage of life marked by significant biological and psychological changes that affect decisions in all areas. Despite programs have been implemented to reduce teenage pregnancies, the number of pregnancies is increasing worldwide.

Objective: To characterize, from a clinical-epidemiological and psychosocial perspective, adolescents who experienced pregnancy.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Alcides Pino Polyclinic in Holguín, from January 2022 to December 2024. The study population consisted of 1,344 female adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age.  The sample included 146 patients selected through purposive sampling. This sampling method included pregnant adolescents during that period, regardless of whether they continued the pregnancy, and excluded those with mental health conditions.

Results: 59.59 % of the patients were between 17 and 19 years old. The majority (62.33%) came from rural areas. 83.56 % initiated sexual relations between the ages of 13 and 15, and 87.67 % did not regularly use contraception. 76.03 % reported having four or more sexual partners. 81.51 % chose to terminate their pregnancies, and 91.78% demonstrated an inadequate level of knowledge about adolescent pregnancy.

Conclusions: Adolescent pregnancy is characterized by a multifactorial profile of vulnerability. This profile involves the convergence of adverse socio-demographic conditions and risky sexual practices. These practices include early initiation of sexual relations, inconsistent contraceptive use, and having multiple partners. This profile is exacerbated by insufficient knowledge about reproductive health.