Perfi l epidemiológico da grávida adolescente no município de Jundiaí e sua evolução em trinta anos

Epidemiological profi le of pregnant adolescents in the town of Jundiaí and development over thirty years

Abstract

Objective: Some 10% p.a. of births worldwide are to adolescents. High teen pregnancy rates have multifactor causes,
associated with poverty, little education and poor perinatal outcomes, constituting a public health problem. To describe the
social profi le of pregnant girls in the Jundiai municipality, Brazil, in 2007 − 2008, compared to this profi le in 1977 − 1984.
Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted using 116 questionnaires completed by pregnant teenagers receiving
prenatal care through the outpatient clinic at the Jundiai Medical School University Hospital. For comparative purposes,
data was acquired on 545 pregnant adolescents seen at the São Vicente de Paulo Charity Hospital between 1977 and 1984.
Results and Conclusion: in 2007 − 2008, pregnant adolescents in Jundiaí were usually white, 16 years old, single, in school
and do not smoke, with partners who were older and employed. Pregnancies were unplanned, with early menarche and
sexual activities. Compared to adolescents in 1977 − 1984, today’s teenagers become pregnant earlier, with fewer formal
marriages and more informal unions, staying in school longer and smoking less, with earlier menarche and longer periods
before pregnancy after becoming sexually active.