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Sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive variables associated with pregnancy among adolescents from low socioeconomic background
Author(s) -
Canavarro Maria Cristina,
Silva Neuza,
Diniz Eva,
Pereira Marco,
Koller Sílvia H.,
Pires Raquel
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.22364
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , reproductive health , pregnancy , psychological intervention , developing country , medicine , public health , intervention (counseling) , environmental health , developed country , demography , psychology , population , psychiatry , sociology , nursing , genetics , biology , economics , economic growth
Adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern in both developed and developing countries. Portugal and Brazil represent some of the best examples of this phenomenon. The present study aimed to identify sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive health‐related variables associated with adolescent pregnancy among students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in both countries. The sample included 984 female adolescents, among whom 215 became pregnant. Living with a partner and lack of information about sex and contraception from the family were the best explicative factors for pregnancy occurrence in both countries. Country‐specific variables were also identified. Our results may contribute to developing global preventive interventions, addressing the school as an ideal setting for primary intervention and considering culture‐specific characteristics of high‐risk populations.