Representações da gravidez precoce para adolescentes assistidos pela estratégia saúde da famíliaRepresentações da gravidez precoce para adolescentes assistidos pela estratégia saúde da família

The aim of this study was to describe the representations of early pregnancy foradolescents of 14 to 17 years old assisted by the Family Health Strategy in a region of the city ofMontes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is a descriptive and qualitative study, based on theTheory of Social Representations. A semi-structured interview was administered on 25 adolescentsof both genders, and the data were analyzed according to the adopted theoretical approach. Thefindings presented early pregnancy as a phenomenon acquainted in the adolescent’s daily lives,bring to it a quality of normality. The subjects of the study did not consider themselves, however,prepared to experience it, associating it to irresponsibility and carelessness. In contrast, pregnancywas pointed to be capable of conferring a certain degree of maturation to the girl. There is a clearneed of prevention trough a good quality contextualized health education that considers thesignificance of the subjects themselves.