Gestational recurrence during adolescence: perceptions of a young mother

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the socio-demographic profile, the use of contraceptive methods and how adolescents perceive repeated pregnancies during adolescence. The participants were 16 adolescents with repeated pregnancies from the municipalities of Sarandi (eight), Maringa (six) and Jandaia do Sul (two). This is a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data was collected in May 2009 through semi-structured recorded interviews carried out at the Health Unit of each city. Data was analyzed taking into account Bardin’s methodological reference. The results point to five categories: use of contraceptives by adolescents; advantages of having children in adolescence; disadvantages of having children in adolescence, factors that led to pregnancy and its recurrence, changes in life after birth of first child. It was concluded that it is necessary more maturity from the part of adolescents regarding the importance of proper use of contraceptive methods, and it is essential to establish quality public policies to prevent not only the recurrence, but teenage pregnancy as a whole.