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Análise Psicológica

 ISSN 0870-8231

FIGUEIREDO, Bárbara; PACHECO, Alexandra    MAGARINHO, Rute. Utentes da consulta externa de grávidas adolescentes da Maternidade Júlio Dinis entre os anos de 2000 e 2003. []. , 22, 3, pp.551-570. ISSN 0870-8231.

The principal aim of the present study is to characterize the conditions in which adolescent pregnancy occurs in Portugal. As its analyses the changes that may happen during the gestation, in significant areas of the adolescent life, a contribute to a better understanding of the difficulties associated with this problematic is also intended. A sample of 161 pregnant adolescent outpatients of the Julio Dinis Maternity Hospital Service for Adolescent Mothers between 2000 and 2003 were interview, during the third trimester of pregnancy, on the base of a 125 close questions questionnaire (Questionário da Consulta de Grávidas Adolescentes da MJD; Figueiredo, 2000), collecting information about socio-demographic data regarding the subject, the partner and the family of origin, as well as about medical, psychological and social risk circumstances related with pregnancy. As literature has been pointing out, in Portuguese as in other countries studies, we observed an over-representation of cases belonging to the most unprivileged population, despite the variability on the socio-demographics of the sample: low educational levels, precarious economic situations, unemployment and low qualification professions. Our results also indicate the high frequency of problems on the family of origin and of previous adverse life experiences regarding the adolescent, as well as the partner. We found other unfavorable circumstances, as commonly the pregnancy is not planned, not desired, not medically assisted and tobacco is used. Our data also suggest that one important dimension of the problem is the great changes that occur in several areas of the adolescent life, especially on their occupational status, marital status, familiar aggregate, and relationship with the partner, which is worse by the end of the pregnancy. In conclusion, this study alerts for several difficulties and risk conditions in which adolescent pregnancy may occurs and gives us the necessary better comprehension of the specificities related to this problem to the assistance of the real mother's needs. It also shows that in many cases a supplementary help is justified, taking in account the adverse circumstances in which the pregnancy occurs that this article shows.

: Adolescent motherhood; socio-demographic characteristics; adverse life circumstances; health services.

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