Excerpted from PAHO: Pan American Health Organization, September 30, 2024:
In the framework of the Week for the Prevention of Unintended Pregnancy in Adolescence and the International Contraception Day, a webinar on Contraception in Adolescence was held on 21 September.
The opening was in charge of Dr. Marisa Labovsky and Dr. Silvia Silvia Oizerovich, presidents of FIGIJ and expresident of REDISSER, respectively, who introduced Dr. Sonja Caffé, PAHO regional advisor on Adolescent Health, for the introduction of the webinar.
Caffé said that the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) has the second highest adolescent pregnancy rate in the world and the slowest rate of reduction. ‘This is not acceptable and does not reflect the level of development of the region,’ she said.
She also said that it is important to consider the impact of this situation on adolescents, but also on their families and communities. ‘Adolescent pregnancy is associated with higher maternal mortality, which is a problem in our Region, but it is also associated with other social and economic aspects that affect the development of these adolescents and of societies as a whole.’
Caffé explained that, according to United Nations estimates, between 2015 and 2021 a reduction of around 20% in the adolescent pregnancy rate was achieved in LAC, but this reduction has not been equal in the countries and, in addition, there are differences within countries. ‘It is critical to join forces and make sure we reach the most vulnerable girls with evidence-based interventions. We know that contraceptives are a proven strategy, which goes in that direction.’
Teresa Bombas, president of the European Society for Contraception and Sexual and Reproductive Health, moderated the participation of the three speakers.
Effective contraceptive interventions for the reduction of unintended pregnancy in adolescents… Read the full article and watch the video here!