Sexual attitudes and behavior of Guatemalan teenagers: considerations for prevention of adolescent pregnancy

Two studies were conducted to explore the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Guatemala, and to identify the level of contraception. The first study assessed sexual attitudes and behavior of 850 adolescents. In this group, 89% of the males and 38% of the females said they had experienced coitus. Youngsters of upper-middle and lower-middle socioeconomic status had higher rates of coital activity than did those of the middle class. Only 10% of the sexually active couples were using some type of contraception. Boys indicated greater inclination toward "recreational" sex, while girls tended to be more affectively involved with their lovers. Ninety-six percent of sexually active girls planned to marry their current sexual partner, while 5.5% of the boys planned to do so. The second study assessed the prevalence of pregnancy in minors (17 years or younger) attending the gynecology department at a local general hospital. Over a period of two years, 551 cases were identified. Although rates of pregnancy increased with age, the rate of annual increase was dramatically highest from ages 13 to 14, after which it decreased progressively with age. Based on these results, it is recommended that, at least in the Guatemalan population, sex education be implemented at an early age in order to prevent adolescent pregnancy.