RESUMO
PIP: 10-20% of all pregnancies in most developing countries and in some developed countries (e.g., US) occur in adolescents. The number of such pregnancies is steadily rising. Adolescent pregnancies tend to be high risk pregnancies. Many adolescent pregnancies are unwanted and unplanned and often occur to unmarried youth. They often end in legal or illegal abortion, practiced under poor medical and psychological conditions. The health consequences of adolescent pregnancy and even the consequences on one's life are grave: death and morbidity (e.g., infertility). Education programs on sexually responsible behavior prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Youth are uncertain about family planning. Hormonal contraceptives perfectly suit youth with no contraindications (e.g., cardiovascular conditions). They are reversible and do not affect future fertility. IUDs tend to be contraindicated for youth due to risk of pelvic infection or infertility. Condoms protect against STDs and AIDS. Diaphragms and cervical caps are not well suited for youth because these barrier methods depend on prior knowledge about having sexual intercourse and require manipulations a bit complicated for youth. Periodic abstinence is difficult to use when menstrual cycles are irregular and because sexual intercourse is unexpected. Youth cannot depend on withdrawal because male youth are not used to practicing it. Spermicides have no contraindications but can be costly for youth. They also do not protect against HIV. Jamaica has a reception center for young mothers, which aims to get mothers to return to school. Young fathers also participate in center activities. The center provides confidential information on contraception. The Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia targets urban street-youth. It distributes condoms and diaphragms while educators provides counseling. It hopes to next have voluntary educators throughout Addis Ababa.^ieng