Fertility rates and perinatal outcomes of adolescent pregnancies: a retrospective population-based study

Adolescentes grávidas que experienciaram o nascimento prematuro: percepções acerca do cuidado pré-natal

Resumo Objetivo conhecer os significados atribuídos ao pré-natal por adolescentes que pariram prematuramente e seus alcances ao parto e nascimento. Método estudo qualitativo que adotou o Interacionismo Simbólico e a Análise de Conteúdo Temática como referenciais teóricos e metodológicos e a entrevista aberta como instrumento de coleta de dados. Onze adolescentes residentes em um município do interior paulista integraram o estudo ao longo do ano de 2018. Resultados as adolescentes apontaram relações limitadas com os profissionais com obstáculos ao desenvolvimento da autonomia para as questões da gestação, parto e nascimento, assim como para o estabelecimento do apoio social. Emergiram três categorias temáticas: ‘Início do pré-natal: reflexões e projeções futuras’; ‘Insuficiências na atenção pré-natal’ e ‘(Des) acolhimento no parto e nascimento’. Conclusão conhecer os significados atribuídos ao pré-natal por adolescentes que pariram prematuramente favoreceu apontamentos ao atitudinal do profissional em relação à consideração da adolescente enquanto indivíduo que direciona o cuidado por meio de seu lugar de fala e no exercício dos seus direitos no sentido de promover uma experiência positiva e qualificar o pré-natal.

Trends in fertility rates, proportion of antenatal consultations and caesarean sections among Brazilian adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the temporal trends in the fertility rate, proportion of antenatal consultations and caesarean sections in Brazilian adolescents aged 15 to 19, between 2000 and 2015. Methods: The fertility rate, proportion of prenatal consultations and proportion of routes of birth were calculated using data from DATASUS. The trend analysis was performed using the Prais-Winsten regression model and the annual percentage change.

RESULTS

There was a trend of reduction of 3.5% per year in the fertility rate among adolescents (p<0.05), in addition to an increasing trend of 6% per year in the proportion of more than six antenatal consultations (p <0.0001) and an increasing trend of 6.8% per year in the proportion of caesarean sections (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Despite the decreasing trend in fertility rates among Brazilian adolescents, they remain high. Also noteworthy is the growing trend for caesarean sections, even with improved access to antenatal care.

The use of long-acting reversible contraceptives in Latin America and the Caribbean: current landscape and recommendations

STUDY QUESTION

Can the high rate and associated burden of unintended pregnancy (UP) and adolescent pregnancy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) be reduced through wider access to and use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Studies show that impoved access to and use of LARC methods is an effective tool for reducing the high rates of UP, unsafe abortion and abortion-related complications, and maternal deaths (as well as reducing their social and financial burden), and we have provided recommendations to help achieve this in LAC.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

LAC comprises 46 countries with 650 million inhabitants, and shows large disparities in socioeconomic development, access to health services and attention to sexual and reproductive health rights. The exercise of these rights and universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes is a key strategy for improving maternal health by reducing the number of UPs, the rate of women's and child mortality and morbidity, and the number of unsafe abortions. The implementation of SRH programmes in the region has contributed to a decrease in pregnancy rates of more than 50% over 40 years. However, despite this progress, the numbers of UP and adolescent pregnancies are still among the highest worldwide, which can be attributed in large part to the low prevalence of use of LARC methods.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION

This is a position paper with the objective of reviewing the magnitude and burden of UP in LAC, as well as available LARC methods and barriers to their access, with the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness among healthcare professionals (HCP), policymakers and the general public about the potential to reduce UP rates through the increased use of LARC.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHOD

We searched the electronic databases of PubMed and EMBASE to identify studies published up to May 2017. We also searched for websites regarding LAC, LARC methods, and UP including, for example, those from the United Nations, the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, the Alan Guttmacher Institute and the United States Agency for International Development. Studies were included if they investigated mainly UP and their consequences as well as the use of LARC methods in the region. During 3 days of meetings, the importance of the studies identified and the appropriateness of inclusion were discussed.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

LAC is not one unit and shows great ethnic diversity as well as economic and cultural differences among the various countries. These differences must be taken into account when developing policies related to disseminating information and combatting misinformation regarding the use of LARC among different audiences, such as adolescents and young women, nulligravidas, indigenous populations and women with disabilities. Furthermore, only some governments have made efforts to increase accessibility to LARC methods, and there is a need to implement training programmes for HCPs, launch education campaigns for the general public, increase access and review the cost-benefit analyses specific to LARC, which have already demonstrated that the upfront cost of LARC is less than the cummulative expense of short-term contraceptives. Recommendations to achieve these goals are presented.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Knowledge and awareness of the contraceptive method itself and of the mix of individual countries in the region is essential to the development of specific strategies and actions, tailored to each particular country situation, aimed at increasing access to modern contraceptive methods, especially LARC.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Healthcare systems in LAC should consider LARC as a primary option for decreasing UP and adolescent pregnancy. Disseminating information, increasing awareness of their efficacy, removing barriers and improving access to LARC methods are the urgent actions recommended for government, academia, professional organizations, insurance companies and policymakers in order to address this major public health problem in LAC.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This manuscript was supported by a grant from the Americas Health Foundation (AHF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare throughout the Latin American Region. LB and IM received additional support from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) award # 2015/20504-9. The authors declare no conflict of interest.