Factors associated with unplanned pregnancy among pregnant female adolescents in the Southeast region of Brazil: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To identify associated factors, to unplanned pregnancies (UP) among pregnant adolescents in the Southeast region of Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 12-20 years old pregnant adolescents at the antenatal care services of the Women's Hospital, State University of Campinas, Brazil. RESULTS: We included 101 female adolescents with a median age of 17 years, a median age of 14 years at sexual debut, and a median age of 16 years at first pregnancy. Most participants were self-reported as Pardas (Bi-racial) (49/101), students (59/101), and reported between 10 and 12 years of schooling (79/101). Eighty-five of them (84.0%) reported that the present pregnancy was unplanned. Living with a partner [OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.01; 0.53] and delaying age at first pregnancy [OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.40;0.98] were associated with protective factors to UP. CONCLUSION: We believe both the public and private sectors should implement actions to strengthen the capacity of the health system to foster adequate contraceptive methods counselling and methos availability, particular long-acting reversible contraceptives, to adolescents throughout Brazil. Also, educational interventions should focus on encouraging the postponement of sexual debut and first pregnancy. These interventions should be recommended, among those adolescents involved in a romantic relationship, foster relationships based on respect, communication and stability. We believe these efforts may result in better sexual and reproductive health through life for this population. SHORT CONDENSATION: We found that 8 out of 10 adolescents reported having an unplanned pregnancy at the time of the survey.