Characterization of pregnancy in adolescents from the Joaquín de Agüero polyclinic in Camagüey, Cuba

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is one of the priorities in health care, since it affects the health of both the pregnant woman and the fetal product. Objective: To characterize the adolescent pregnancy at the Joaquín de Agüero y Agüero polyclinic during 2022. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Joaquín de Agüero y Agüero polyclinic from January to June 2022, in a group of pregnant adolescents. The following variables were analyzed: age, education, marital status, occupation, origin, socioeconomic level, personal pathological history, age of first sexual intercourse, use of contraceptive methods, time of pregnancy acquisition, pathologies associated with pregnancy, reason for the first sexual relationship and support networks. An anonymous form was applied to all of them. The research was conducted taking into account established ethical considerations. Results: The predominant age range was among 17 to 19 years, mostly with an educational level of secondary school, and from urban areas. Most of them, started sexual relations in early adolescence and did not use contraceptive methods. Conclusions: Pregnant women predominated in late adolescence, the majority came from an urban area with a poor socioeconomic level. The pathologies associated with pregnancy were found in a significant number of pregnant women where vaginal sepsis and anemia were more frequent, which negatively affects a satisfactory outcome of the pregnancy.