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ABSTRACT.
Background: Adolescents are vulnerable to unplanned pregnancy. Prevention measures and assistance are of significant public health importance in this population.
Objectives: To identify demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors and to determine the prevalence for unplanned pregnancy among female adolescents in Vitória, Brazil.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among female adolescents (15–19 years) assisted by the Family Health Program. Participants completed in person interviews. Demographics, pregnancy rate, and knowledge and behavior were evaluated.
Results: The sample consisted of 464 young women, 320 of whom reported sexual activity. The prevalence of pregnancy was 31.6% (95% CI 26.5–36.7%). Not living with parents, not having access to health service, having first sexual intercourse younger than 15 years of age and having less than 9 years of schooling were identified as being independently associated with pregnancy in the final model.
Conclusion: A high prevalence of pregnancy was found in this population, and behavioral risk was high, despite readily available prevention information. These results demonstrate the need for ongoing pregnancy prevention activities among adolescents.