A strategy for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy in Las Tunas -with a fertility rate of 22 percent, the highest in the country- is implemented by specialists of the Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI).
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The intersectoral work projects adolescent care consultations in polyclinics from a multidisciplinary nature, including specialties such as Psychology, Nutrition, Obstetrics, Social Work, and Pediatrics, intended to reduce complications such as hypertension, aggravated urinary tract infections, and hemorrhages, typical of the pediatric age.
Osmara López Borrero, head of the Maternal and Child Section at the Public Health Directorate in the territory, pointed out that among the two thousand pregnant women in the province, 352 are adolescents, which means a social problem.
She pointed out that the trouble becomes greater since "the number that gets pregnant and continues the pregnancy is the same that goes to abortion and menstrual regulation services, and because of this phenomenon, intersectoral intervention is advocated to prevent the gestation in early adolescence, a stage that is not for getting involved in the reproductive process.”
According to studies by the PAMI advisory team in Las Tunas, the strategy is supported by factors such as the early initiation of sexual relations, the low perception of risk related to unprotected relationships, and insufficient family space for comprehensive sexuality education.
The figures refer that all municipalities increase their rates, except for "Amancio," while the indicator of adolescent fertility rate by age ranks second in Manatí, "Jesús Menéndez," and Majibacoa.
Another action is to support adolescents through the stable supply of contraceptives, which are dispensed in the offices of the Family’s Doctor and Nurse, with priority for this population group, she said.
"We are going to attend not only to adolescents who are pregnant, but those who have already started their sexual activity, from an intersectoral work, which urgently requires the attention of the Federation of Cuban Women, the educational sector, and student organizations."
