TEENAGE PREGNANCIES IN BOLIVIA

Percentage of pregnant adolescents in Bolivia

According to ENDSA (Encuesta Nacional Demografica Y Salud) data, about 18% of adolescents
between 15 and 19 years old are already mothers or are pregnant.

Of this total 70% of pregnancies were unplanned ergo are unwanted pregnancies.
The fertility rate for women is 88 births for thousand women of this age group (between 15 19 years
old).

Municipalities that have higher rates of teen pregnancies nationwide are:
El alto 83%
Guayaramerin 76%
Colcapirhua 74%
Riberalta 71%
Santa Cruz 71%

Only 22% of married or union adolescents use contraceptives.
Our culture principally exalts maternity the only source of female realization.

The poverty, gender inequality, violence lack of access to education and weak systems and institutions
tall protect the rights of adolescents, here are the main causes in the country for early pregnancy.

When did produce teenage pregnancy occurs?

Teen pregnancy is one that produce in an adolescent female between the start of childbearing age and
the end of the adolescent stage.

The responsibility of teen pregnancy, is not just a problem of the mother, also is the father, so causes
and consequences of pregnancies involve and affect both.

In Bolivia, why have pregnant teens?

Lack of sex education.
Many teens get to this age without any information about sex, and how pregnancy is prevented.

Present perception about sex.
The media, television, publicity and the points of diversion it stimulates relations without love, without
obligation and without responsibility.

The information on contraceptives.
Contraceptive methods that sexually active adolescents may use is limited, wrong and anaccesible.

The crescent use and abuse of alcohol and drugs.
In adolescents, consumption negatively affects unprotected sex.

Unsatisfied demand for contraception.
High levels of teenage pregnancy are due to the lack of information, education and access to sexual and
reproductive health.

In Bolivia, what are the consequences for a teenager?

Teenage pregnancy has adverse consequences both physical and psychosocial especially in younger
and especially those from scare resources families.

Physical.
High risk for the mother to present abortions, premature births, difficult or complicated births, anemia,
infections. Baby complications also may occur as low birth weight, growth deficiencies and even
mortality.

Psychological.
An unwanted pregnancy for the mother and father creates low self-esteem, depression, rejection by
family or environment, even in cases of the same pair, fear of taking responsability, inability to achieve
goals.

Sociocultural.
Separation of families, inability to complete schooling, which results in little preparation for a new work
environment and more frequent separations risk young couples.
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES IN BOLIVIA

Percentage of pregnant adolescents in Bolivia
According to ENDSA (Encuesta Nacional Demografica Y Salud) data, about 18% of adolescents
between 15 and 19 years old are already mothers or are pregnant.

Of this total 70% of pregnancies were unplanned ergo are unwanted pregnancies.
The fertility rate for women is 88 births for thousand women of this age group (between 15 19 years
old).

Municipalities that have higher rates of teen pregnancies nationwide are:
El alto 83%
Guayaramerin 76%
Colcapirhua 74%
Riberalta 71%
Santa Cruz 71%

Only 22% of married or union adolescents use contraceptives.
Our culture principally exalts maternity the only source of female realization.

The poverty, gender inequality, violence lack of access to education and weak systems and institutions
tall protect the rights of adolescents, here are the main causes in the country for early pregnancy.

When did produce teenage pregnancy occurs?

Teen pregnancy is one that produce in an adolescent female between the start of childbearing age and
the end of the adolescent stage.

The responsibility of teen pregnancy, is not just a problem of the mother, also is the father, so causes
and consequences of pregnancies involve and affect both.

In Bolivia, why have pregnant teens?

Lack of sex education.
Many teens get to this age without any information about sex, and how pregnancy is prevented.

Present perception about sex.
The media, television, publicity and the points of diversion it stimulates relations without love, without
obligation and without responsibility.

The information on contraceptives.
Contraceptive methods that sexually active adolescents may use is limited, wrong and anaccesible.

The crescent use and abuse of alcohol and drugs.
In adolescents, consumption negatively affects unprotected sex.

Unsatisfied demand for contraception.
High levels of teenage pregnancy are due to the lack of information, education and access to sexual and
reproductive health.

In Bolivia, what are the consequences for a teenager?

Teenage pregnancy has adverse consequences both physical and psychosocial especially in younger
and especially those from scare resources families.

Physical.
High risk for the mother to present abortions, premature births, difficult or complicated births, anemia,
infections. Baby complications also may occur as low birth weight, growth deficiencies and even
mortality.

Psychological.
An unwanted pregnancy for the mother and father creates low self-esteem, depression, rejection by
family or environment, even in cases of the same pair, fear of taking responsability, inability to achieve
goals.

Sociocultural.
Separation of families, inability to complete schooling, which results in little preparation for a new work
environment and more frequent separations risk young couples.