In the last nine years, teenage pregnancies decreased from 82,416, in 2015, to 32,660, in 2023, according to data from the National Health Information System (SNIS), of the Ministry of Health. This decrease represents a 39% decrease in teenage pregnancies.
“In 2016, from 82,416 it decreased to 68,916. In 2017 management it decreased to 60,850. 2018, 56,910 were registered. Management 2019, 49,044 cases and in 2020 we had a figure of 39,999 cases. In 2022 we had a reduction to 35,470 cases and, in 2023, 32,660”, informed Alexia Paredes, from the Health Services Networks and Quality Unit, in a press conference.
Pregnancies
The authority explained that there was a period, between 2020 and 2021, in which the cases remained practically the same. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented the work of the Health sector, which resumed its activities normally in 2022.
Paredes pointed out that the Adolescent Pregnancy Rate, which identifies the total percentage of pregnancies in all age groups, fell from 18.7% to 14.26% over the nine-year period.
“This decrease is due to different factors such as sexual and reproductive health orientation, because the more information they have, the longer it takes them to start their sexual life, and the life project that each adolescent draws up,” he argued.
In his opinion, the Unified Health System (SUS) “broke the economic barrier since 2019”, which allowed young people to access health centers to learn about contraceptive methods.
Contraceptive methods
According to the data he presented, since 2018, condom use increased to 38.8% in 2023. In contrast, “natural methods” decreased to 14%.
In addition, Paredes highlighted the application of the subdermal implant, which is used, in 2023, in 19%. He recalled that this method has a long-term duration, up to five years.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to provide access to all adolescents and assist them in their sexual and reproductive health and their “overall health”.