Characterization of the Reproductive Health of Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: the adolescence had been considered a stage free of health problems, but nowadays it is evident that teenagers face serious problems, among them, the ones related to sexual life and reproduction such as sexually transmitted infection (STD) and non-wished pregnancies.

Objective: characterization of the reproductive health behavior in adolescents from a Family Doctor’s Office.

Methods: a series of cases study in adolescents from the number five Family Doctor´s Office of Manuel Diaz Legra polyclinic in May 2012 was carried out. They were interviewed according to a special medical record designed to reflex the special aspects of the interview and a questionnaire to know about their knowledge concerning sexual education and this way determine the sexual behavior.

Results: vulvovaginitis was the most prevalent gynecological affection (46.15 %). All the people of half-age protected themselves from pregnancies and the majority of old ages (96.66 %) but they did not do it for sexual transition infection (60 and 70 % of the cases), most of them had several couples (40 and 50 % of the cases), three of them had been pregnant just once, and eight had presented some sexually transmitted infection. They showed a regular level of knowledge about sexuality (40.58 %).

Conclusions: vulvovaginitis was the most prevalent gynecological affection, the adolescents protected themselves from pregnancy, but they did not do it for sexually transmitted infection and they showed a low level of knowledge about sexuality.

Keywords: adolescence, reproductive health, sexual education, sexual behaviors.