Aspectos psicossociais e sexuais de gestantes adolescentes em Belém-Pará Psychosocial and sexual aspects of pr egnant adolescents at Belém-P ará

Pregnancy is a major factor that modifies psychosocial aspects of the adolescents. A study with 120 pregnant adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, without regarding gestational age, was carried out at Prenatal Risk Program in the Secretaria Estadual de Saude, Belem-Para, from 10/1991 to 04/1992. At the first encounter, it was made an approach of psychosocial and sexual subjects, with the following results: onset of menarche primarily between 12-13 years old (median 12.2 years old); beginning of sexual practice to 14 years old in 50.9% of the adolescents. An amount of 56.6% were pregnant to 16 years old. Most of the adolescents (98.4%) had their first sexual intercourse with their boy friends and by their own wish (72.5%). In one year of loving affair, 67.5% of the adolescents have already gone on sexual activities, being this attitude more often among youngers (79.4%). Adolescents had learned about sexuality mainly from mates (65.1%). Althouth 55.9% of the adolescents were aware of any contraceptive method, just 13.3% of them used it. The majority of the pregnant adolescents (96.7%) were financially supported by their families. Respectively, 30.3% and 32.1% of these girls left the school before or during pregnancy. The risk factors that may contribute to an early and unintended pregnancy among adolescents, specially the younger ones, were pointed out: little information about sex and contraceptive methods, limited practice on their use and a high rate of precocius sexual activities.