Risk of pregnancy and teenage sexual activity

Authors

  • Carlos Prior Assistente de Clínica Geral
  • Helena Baía Assistente Graduada de Clínica Geral Centro de Saúde Fernão de Magalhães - Coimbra
  • Maria João Trindade Assistente Graduada de Clínica Geral Centro de Saúde Fernão de Magalhães - Coimbra
  • Teresa Lopes Assistente Graduada de Clínica Geral Centro de Saúde Fernão de Magalhães - Coimbra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v17i2.9830

Keywords:

Adolescents, Knowledge, Sexuality, Contraception, Behaviour, Pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: To know the age of first full sexual intercourse, knowledge of the defined age group on contraception and sexuality, prevalence of sexual practices entailing risk of pregnancy, as well to know which are the variables that influence knowledge and sexual practices entailing risk of pregnancy. Type of Study: Descriptive, cross-sectional. Site: Fernão de Magalhães Health Centre in Coimbra. Population: Adolescents from the health centres roster, aged between 14 and 19 years on October 31st. Methods: A stratified, randomised sample of 346 subjects was taken out of a total of 3120 adolescents, proportionally to sex, age and health centre outpost roster dimension. The following variables were studied: sex, age, age at time of first sexual intercourse, marital status, occupation, degree of schooling, parents literacy level, sexual practices, school or work adaptation, family APGAR score, partnership relation, knowledge on contraception and sexuality, and sexual behaviours entailing risk of pregnancy. Results: 268 adolescents (77%) answered the questionnaire. One third had had full sexual intercourse. Only one third had «good» or «very good» knowledge on contraception and sexuality. The level of knowledge was higher among older teenagers, females, and youths belonging to dysfunctional families. Fourteen percent revealed sexual practices entailing risk of pregnancy; this increased with age, and decreased with the adolescents knowledge level and their parents literacy. Conclusions: These data showed a low level of knowledge and a high proportion of youths engaging in full sexual intercourse. This, together with the age at time of first sexual intercourse, makes it urgent to implement specific health education strategies for this age group.

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Published

2001-03-01

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2001): Revista Portuguesa de Clínica Geral

Section

Original Research

License

The authors will assign to the RPMGF the sole right to publish and distribute the content of the manuscript specified in this declaration via physical, electronic, broadcasting or any other medium that may come into existence. They also grant the RPMGF the right to use and exploit this manuscript, in particular by assigning, selling or licensing its content. This permission is permanent and takes effect from the moment the manuscript is submitted, has the maximum duration allowed by applicable Portuguese or international law and is of worldwide scope. The authors further declare that this assignment is made free of charge. If the RPMGF informs the authors that it is not going to publish their manuscript, the exclusive assignment of rights ceases forthwith.

The authors authorise the RPMGF (or any entity it may appoint) to act on their behalf when it believes that copyright may have been infringed.

 

How to Cite

Risk of pregnancy and teenage sexual activity. (2001). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 17(2), 111-38. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v17i2.9830

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