TEENAGE PREGNANCY: CHALLENGES AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a multifactorial phenomenon that involves biological, social, economic, and cultural dimensions, representing a major challenge for public health and adolescent development. This study aims to analyze the main factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and to identify effective prevention strategies. A qualitative bibliographic review was conducted based on national and international studies published between 2016 and 2024, focusing on health promotion, sexual education, and youth empowerment. The results indicate that early pregnancy is strongly related to social vulnerability, limited access to information on sexual and reproductive health, insufficient family support, and inadequate school-based prevention programs. Educational strategies that promote autonomy, dialogue, and responsible decision-making among adolescents, as well as intersectoral actions integrating schools, families and health services, have shown to be the most effective for prevention. It is concluded that reducing adolescent pregnancy requires a comprehensive intervention model that combines public policies, systematic sexual education, and community engagement to foster youth participation and accountability.