Teenage pregnancy: vulnerability in different contexts

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescent pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that occurs in girls between the ages of 10 and 19.   

The WHO emphasizes that adolescent pregnancy is a public health issue and reflects social inequities. Teenagers with limited access to education and low income are at higher risk of becoming pregnant. To prevent this and mitigate its negative effects, the WHO promotes comprehensive sexual education, family planning, and access to prenatal and postnatal care.   

This global organization advocates for policies and programs that empower adolescents through access to social support services, employment, and education, and highlights the importance of addressing poverty and gender discrimination to improve the health and well-being of young women, as well as to reduce adolescent pregnancy. 

Teenage pregnancy has a significant impact on young women, their families, and their education. Psychosocial risk factors are crucial, influencing teenagers' decisions about their educational development. Lack of family support, inadequate sexual education, peer pressure, and an unfavorable socioeconomic environment increase adolescents' vulnerability to anxiety, stress, and depression, negatively affecting their mental health and academic performance. Educational institutions must implement prevention and support programs to create a safer and healthier environment for pregnant teenagers.