Teenage pregnancy in Colombia

For many years Colombia has been recognize in Latin America and the world for his problems about drug trafficking and bad political´s government, each one bring along with one other problems such as poberty, violence, wars between the same population and adolescent pregnancy which in recent years has been an issue of growing global concern.

Teen pregnancy is one of the main causes of poverty in the country, for this reason it is required to do interventions to prevent further problems caused by this difficulties.

The Colombia´s president said in March: “In this specific aspect the actual govertment´s projects are not having the results expected. Colombia still have the highest percentage of teenage pregnancies in Latin America.”

According to human rights NGO Plan International, in Colombia, 20% of adolescent girls are either mothers or pregnant. It is estimated that 90 out of every 1,000 Colombian girls aged 15 to 19 become pregnant every year.

In 2007 was reported 6,599 cases of teen pregnancy, in 2009 the number had risen to 6,928, these indications show a continual rise in the statistics. 1

The last year, colombia´s Congress suggested to do regular checks at least once a year in young women as a purpose to prevent teen pregnancy. This regulatory body said that some of causes are parents of the teen mothers they aren´t giving the appropriate advise, peer pressure and influence in social networks. 

Adolescent pregnancy in Latinoamerica

Risk factosr to become a teen mom

There are different risk factors that can influence in teen pregnancy. Here you can find some of them

1. In many societies, girls may be under pressure to marry and bear children early. Moreover, married adolescents are likely to become pregnant and give birth in accordance with social norms

2. There is a lack of sexuality education in many countries. A global coverage measure related to sexuality education estimates that only 36% of young men and 24% of young women aged 15-24 in low- and middle-income countries have comprehensive and correct knowledge of how to prevent HIV.

3. Some adolescents do not know how to avoid becoming pregnant, or are unable to obtain contraceptives. However, even where contraceptives are widely available, sexually active adolescents are less likely to use contraceptives than adults. In Latin America, Europe and Asia only 42-68% of adolescents who are married or in partnerships use contraceptives. In Africa the rate ranges from 3-49%.

See these videos:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffX7V3P9FN4

                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq2crPwz_N4

4. Low self-esteem is among the causes of teen pregnancy. Children who are not shown love and affection from parents will seek it out with their peer group. Many adolescents report feeling pressured by their peers to have sex before they are ready.

5. Lack of supervision before teens are ready for independence is one of the causes of teenage pregnancy.

  

To prevent these last one you need to knowing where the teens are going and whom they are with. If you don't know the kids they are hanging out with, get to know them and give them the tools to make good decisions. Talk to them about sex and birth control, and the causes of teen pregnancy.

The reality

Global context

Adolescent pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal and child mortality, and to the vicious cycle of ill-health and poverty. Worldwide, one in five girls has given birth by the age of 18. In the poorest regions of the world, this figure rises to over one in three girls.

• ·         About 16 million adolescent girls give birth every year – most in low- and middle-income countries.
• ·     An estimated three million girls aged 15-19 undergo unsafe abortions every year.
• ·         In low- and middle-income countries, complications from pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years.
• ·         Stillbirths and newborn deaths are 50% higher among infants of adolescent mothers than among infants of women aged 20-29 years.
• ·         Infants of adolescent mothers are more likely to have low birth weight.

Justo to think about teen pregnancy

A messange to health care professionals: teen pregnancy