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Trends in teenage motherhood in Ecuador: challenges and inequalities

Author

Listed:
  • Verónica Espinel-Flores

    (Universitat Pompeu Fabra
    Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona)

  • Mercè Gotsens

    (Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona
    Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica (IIB-Sant Pau))

  • Vanessa Puig-Barrachina

    (Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona)

  • Brenda Biaani León-Gómez

    (Universitat Pompeu Fabra
    Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona)

  • Andrés Peralta

    (Universitat Pompeu Fabra
    Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona
    Health Inequalities Research Health Inequalities Research Group, Employment Conditions Knowledge Network (GREDS-EMCONET)
    Johns Hopkins University - Pompeu Fabra University Public Policy Centre)

  • Glòria Pérez

    (Universitat Pompeu Fabra
    Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona
    CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP)
    Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica (IIB-Sant Pau))

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Verónica Espinel-Flores & Mercè Gotsens & Vanessa Puig-Barrachina & Brenda Biaani León-Gómez & Andrés Peralta & Glòria Pérez, 2020. "Trends in teenage motherhood in Ecuador: challenges and inequalities," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(9), pages 1647-1655, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:65:y:2020:i:9:d:10.1007_s00038-020-01517-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01517-w
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