Socioeconomic Differences in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health : Family Planning

Yarger, Jennifer ; Decker, Mara ; Brindis, Claire ; Cortez, Rafael ; Quinlan-Davidson, Meaghen

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ABORTIONS;    ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES;    ADOLESCENCE;    ADOLESCENT;    ADOLESCENT CONTRACEPTIVE USE;   

RP-ID  :  93933

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Adolescent sexual and reproductivehealth (ASRH) is one of five areas of focus of the WorldBanks reproductive health action plan (RHAP) 2010-2015,which recognizes the importance of addressing ASRH as adevelopment issue with important implications for povertyreduction. Delaying childbearing and preventing unintendedpregnancies during adolescence has been shown to improvehealth outcomes and increase opportunities for schooling,future employment, and earnings. This brief highlights thelimited contraceptive use among adolescent women and thesocioeconomic disparities in family planning among thispopulation. The results indicate the importance of investingin programs aimed at increasing access to safe and effectivecontraceptive methods and expanding adolescents knowledge ofmodern contraception, particularly among adolescent women inrural and poor areas and or those with limited or noeducation, regardless of marital status. Continuedinvestment should be made in female education andempowerment as a means to reach economic development goals,as well as related goals, such as an increase in adolescentcontraceptive use to reduce the incidence of unplanned pregnancies.