Trends in teenage motherhood in Ecuador: challenges and inequalities

Verónica Espinel-Flores (), Mercè Gotsens, Vanessa Puig-Barrachina, Brenda Biaani León-Gómez, Andrés Peralta and Glòria Pérez
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Verónica Espinel-Flores: Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Mercè Gotsens: Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona
Vanessa Puig-Barrachina: Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona
Brenda Biaani León-Gómez: Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Andrés Peralta: Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Glòria Pérez: Universitat Pompeu Fabra

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 9, No 16, 1647-1655

Abstract: Abstract Objectives To describe trends in teenage motherhood (TM), based on the socioeconomic groups teenagers belong to, and factors related to their first experience of heterosexual intercourse (FEHI). We took into consideration women aged 20–24 years, comparing three surveys from 1999, 2004, and 2012. Methods We obtained data from the Ecuadorian Demographic and Health Surveys about 4,696 women aged 20–24 years who had given birth as teenagers. Prevalence ratios and their confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to estimate changes in socioeconomic inequalities and factors related to the FEHI. Results The prevalence of TM increased from 48% in 1999 to 60% in 2012 among women with complete primary education. The social gradient among socioeconomic groups were sustained. We detected no changes in the socioeconomic inequalities characterizing TM, and in the factors related to the FEHI across the three studies in Ecuador. Conclusions Socioeconomic inequalities in TM and disadvantageous circumstances at FEHI remained unchanged for 14 years. Some factors are vital for reducing teenage motherhood in Ecuador: gender-equitable economic development, access to comprehensive-sexual education, contraception, health services, and safe abortion.

Keywords: Inequalities; Socioeconomic factors; Sexual behaviour; Trends; Teenage pregnancy; Ecuador (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01517-w

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