© 1991 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
The Antecedents of Adolescent Pregnancy in a Brazilian Squatter Community
Institute of Child Health 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH
A case-control study among first time pregnant adolescent girls in a squatter community in Recife, Brazil, showed that 46 per cent had already dropped out of school (P<0.001) and had a job at the time of their pregnancy (P< 0.001; RR 5.5). Two-thirds came from single-parent households (P<0.001; RR 2.8) with weak supervision at home. There was some indication of modelling effect, in that more pregnant adolescents had mothers who became pregnant before the age of 15, or close family members who were adolescent mothers, but the difference was not statistically significant. By contrast, the peer group effect was significant (P<0.05; RR 1.9). More amongst the pregnant adolescents had commenced menarche before age 13, and twice as many compared to controls had started regular dating before that age (P<0.05; RR 2.3). There was a striking lack of knowledge concerning menarcbe, conception and contraception. The implications of the findings for school and health services in squatter communities are discussed. Four main antecedents on the path to parenthood when the adolescent can benefit from counselling are identified.