ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY: SOCIOECONOMIC VULNERABILITY, SEXUAL EDUCATION, AND MATERNAL HEALTH RISKS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: This article investigated factors associated with adolescent pregnancy among young women aged 15 to 19 in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability, considering the lack of sexual education, limited knowledge of contraceptive methods, and risks to maternal health. Methods: Integrative review following Dantas et al. (2022), developed from the guiding question: “How do socioeconomic vulnerability, the absence of sexual education, and limited knowledge of contraceptive methods influence the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy among women aged 15 to 19, and what are the main risks related to maternal health?”. Nineteen articles from the PubMed, PubMed Central, and BVS databases were analyzed. Results: Socioeconomic vulnerability may be associated with low educational attainment, early marriage, limited access to contraceptive methods, and the absence of sexual education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The literature also indicates risks to maternal health. Conclusion: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with socioeconomic vulnerability, lack of sexual education, and limited access to contraceptive methods. Sexual education, preventive measures, and adequate healthcare monitoring may contribute to reducing unintended pregnancies and maternal health risks.