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AUTHOR AFFILIATION: |
Department A of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine,
University of the Republic, Hospital Pereira Rossell, Montevideo,
Uruguay. |
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ABSTRACT: |
This review presents facts about sexual and contraceptive behavior of
Latin American adolescents, analyzes barriers to contraception, and
summarizes present perspectives. Between 13 and 30% of Latin American
adolescent women live in union before their 20th birthday and between 46
and 63% have had sexual relations. The prevalence of contraceptive use
among adolescents at risk of pregnancy remains very low. The pill is the
best known contraceptive method. When sexual activity becomes a
permanent practice, contraceptive use increases but remains low.
Barriers to contraception can be identified as: (1) arising from
adolescents themselves (moral objections, alleged medical reasons, lack
of confidence in adults and in the health system, promiscuity; (2)
arising from the sexual partner (partner's opposition, masculine
irresponsibility); (3) arising from adults (moral objections, fear of
sex education, adult control and power of decision-making); (4) arising
from the health system (inappropriateness of services, regulatory
barriers, gender inequality); (5) arising from health professionals
(medical barriers to contraceptive use, discomfort with sexual matters);
(6) arising from the educational system (educational failure, teachers'
reluctance); and (7) arising from other social agents (religious
opposition, media ambivalent messages, fund restraints). There have been
improvements in recent years, including the achievements of groups
working for and with adolescents, and the support from distinguished
personalities. |
