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\u201cCan I get pregnant on my first time?\u201d. \u201cHow can I take care of myself and how can my sweetheart take care of herself so that she doesn’t get pregnant?\u201d. \u201cWhat birth control methods can I use?\u201d. Teenagers ask these kinds of questions. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t talk about these issues at home,\u201d admits Sandro, 16, as does Jos\u00e9, 17.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s like family members feel that we are too young and that we don’t talk about it, but, in reality, most adolescents already have a sex life very early in life. They shouldn’t prohibit, but guide,\u201d says Nataly, 16.<\/p>\n
On September 26, the World Day for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy was commemorated. This initiative was promoted in Latin America, in 2005, as an educational campaign whose main objective is to raise awareness among adolescents so that they know the different contraceptive alternatives that exist and can make free, responsible and informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, in order to prevent the high rate of unplanned pregnancies. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ipasbolivia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/6705440abcb1fd0cfb2d128b_670543e99e807ec07cec11fd_2024092721103615195.jpeg” alt=”In the city of Cochabamba, there was an event and an educational fair.” title_text=”6705440abcb1fd0cfb2d128b_670543e99e807ec07cec11fd_2024092721103615195″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”387px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”6b4605f6-e701-4240-ba12-913d455703e4″ global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”on|hover”]<\/p>\n
The Management Policy Unit of the Magistrates Council in Cochabamba released statistics on teenage pregnancy in Bolivia, between 2021 and 2023. In the country, 39,747 teenage pregnancies were reported in 2021, 35,470 in 2022 and 32,660 in 2023. <\/p>\n
Nataly, Sandro and Josu\u00e9 are high school students. They participated in the educational fair and expressed their interest in accessing information and not being left with doubts about sexual relations, pregnancy risks and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a topic that needs to be addressed, since it is not made known in schools or to family members. It is good to have information about the topic of sexual life, both for prevention and planning, and about the types of diseases that exist,\u201d says Nataly.<\/p>\n
The speakers explained that an early pregnancy is one that occurs before the age of 19 and is considered high-risk because it has more complications than a common pregnancy. Adolescents are not physically or mentally ready to become parents. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very interesting for me to learn about each contraceptive method, both for men and women. I have clarified my doubts,\u201d says Josu\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Preventing teenage pregnancies depends on truthful information, access to contraceptive methods and not giving in to peer pressure, among other aspects.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a teenager, you may have doubts, intrigue about what it will feel like to do it. I think you should use contraceptive methods, such as condoms, to avoid problems,\u201d says Sandro.<\/p>\n
ACCESS TO INFORMATION<\/p>\n
In several health centers, such as the one in Villa Israel in the south of the city of Cochabamba, they are given the answers they often cannot find in their homes or schools.<\/p>\n
Darling Nogales is a nurse at the Villa Israel health center. She says that there, as in other health facilities, they have Comprehensive Adolescent Care Services (AIDA), and all the staff is trained to guide and care for adolescents with warmth and confidence. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working on the promotion and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. If the young person wants to take care of themselves with a contraceptive method, the AIDA center is also friendly\u201d.<\/p>\n
Nogales describes that the adolescents tend to be shy, go in pairs and that most are male. They all receive the attention and guidance they need. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are young people who are very shy, there is still a taboo. They are ashamed to talk about their case. At the Villa Israel health center we try to make them feel free to express themselves, and that they are not ashamed or afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
A large number of young people seek information on contraceptive methods. It is known that there are adolescents who begin their sexual life as early as 13 or 14 years of age. <\/p>\n
“Most of them will ask for information about their first time, as they say, about the possibility of pregnancy (…). They ask about family planning, contraception, \u201cwhat method will help me to take care of myself\u201d, \u201cwhat can I wear\u201d, if it will be good or bad for them. These are the questions young people ask.<\/p>\n
Adolescents can access contraceptive methods free of charge at health centers.<\/p>\n
Contraceptive methods are those used during sexual contact to prevent pregnancy; there are barrier, hormonal and surgical methods. Some also reduce the risk of transmitting STDs. <\/p>\n
Barriers are the male or female condom, whose efficacy percentage is high. Surgical barriers are vasectomy in men and tubal ligation in women. Hormonal barriers are pills, implants, morning after pill, injections, copper T and vaginal ring. <\/p>\n
Sexually transmitted diseases include syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, condyloma, molluscum contagiosum and HIV-AIDS.<\/p>\n
In the medical centers, professionals provide guidance on these issues. At the Villa Israel center alone, they receive about eight adolescents per week, who seek information. They also follow cases of teenage pregnancies. <\/p>\n
People are exposed to unwanted pregnancies or diseases from the first time they have sex.<\/p>\n
CHANGE OF PLANS<\/p>\n