Study objective: In the present study we investigated the association between receiving information on sexual literacy topics and likelihood of experiencing adolescent pregnancy.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis.
Setting: Colombia.
Participants: Female Adolescents, 13-19 years old (N = 8525).
Main outcome measures: Our primary outcome of interest was adolescent pregnancy.
Results: We created a gradation of public health impact variable that ranged from grade 1 (least impactful) to grade 4 (most impactful) to determine which sexuality-related topics were most strongly associated with teenage pregnancy. We found that not receiving information on grade 4 topics had the strongest association with adolescent pregnancy. These topics were: changes related to puberty (prevalence ratio [PR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-3.30), how sex organs work (PR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.37-2.66), and sexual orientation (PR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.38-2.44). In fact, teenagers who did not receive information on any sexuality-related topic were approximately 75% more likely (PR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09-2.74) to experience pregnancy during adolescence.
Conclusion: The gradation levels of this study could guide sexual education programs in Colombia to prioritize sexuality-related themes, especially when resources are limited.
Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy; Colombia; Latin America; Sexual literacy; Teen pregnancy.
Copyright © 2020 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.