Adolescent Pregnancy

Each year in the Mexico, about three-quarters of a million adolescents younger than 20 years become pregnant, resulting in the highest adolescent pregnancy rate of any developed nation (1, 2). In 2002, there were an estimated 757,000 pregnancies among teenagers
aged 15 to 19, which resulted in an estimated 425,000 live births, 215,000 induced abortions, and 117,000 fetal losses. About 82% of these adolescent pregnancies are unintended – and more than one-quarter end in abortion.

The good news is that teen pregnancy and birth rates have been declining in recent years. Researchers have concluded that the reasons for the declines are increased abstinence and changes in contraceptive practices. One
recent study found that most of the decline (86%)
teen pregnancy rates is the result of improved contraceptive use, while a smaller proportion of the decline (14%) can be attributed to delaying the initiation of sex among adolescents . Despite the declines in teen pregnancy rates, far too many teenagers become pregnant each year and many go on to give birth. The consequences of teen pregnancy and childbearing can be quite detrimental to the adolescent, to the children born to teen mothers, and to society as a whole (5, 6, 7).

This report presents an overview of strategies for adolescent pregnancy prevention. Part One summarizes the data on
teen sexual and contraceptive behavior, teen pregnancy and birth rates, and the consequences of teen childbearing. Part
Two presents an overview of the different types of adolescent pregnancy prevention programs highlighted in this report: programs that provide sexuality and family-life education, programs developed to improve adolescents’ use of and access to family planning services, and programs that are designed to enhance adolescents’ life options and expand their worldview. Part Three describes model programs of each type, which were selected because they exemplify promising approaches to teen pregnancy prevention.