Main barriers to services linked to voluntary pregnancy termination on three grounds in Chile.

Introduction: After decades of absolute criminalization, on September 14, 2017, Chile decriminalized voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) when there is a life risk to the pregnant woman, lethal incompatibility of the embryo or fetus of genetic or chromosomal nature, and pregnancy due to rape. The implementation of the law reveals multiple barriers hindering access to the services provided by the law. Objectives: To identify and analyze, using the Tanahashi Model, the main barriers to the implementation of law 21,030 in public health institutions. This article contributes to the follow-up of this public policy, making visible the obstacles that violate women's rights of women to have dignified access to abortion and that affect the quality of health care in Chile. Material and method: Qualitative design, following the postpositivist paradigm. The sample consisted of relevant actors directly related to pregnancy termination. Snowball sampling and semi-structured interviews were used. Grounded theory was used through inductive coding, originating categories regrouped into meta-categories following Tanahashi's model. The rigor criteria of transferability, dependability, credibility, authenticity, and epistemological theoretical adequacy were used. The identity of the participants and the confidentiality of the information were protected. Results: From January 2021 to October 2022, 62 interviews were conducted with 20 members of the psychosocial support team; 18 managers; 17 members of the biomedical health team; 4 participants from of civil society, and three women users. The main obstacles correspond to availability barriers, accessibility barriers, acceptability barriers, contact barriers, and effectiveness barriers. Conclusions: Barriers to access abortion under three grounds violate the exercise of women's sexual and reproductive rights. It is urgent to carry out actions of control and follow-up of this public policy to the corresponding entities.

Derechos y deberes de información: el rol de la atención primaria de salud en la implementación de la ley que despenaliza la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo en tres causales en Chile / Drets i deures d'informació: el rol de l'atenció primària de salut en la implementació de la llei que despenalitza la interrupció voluntària de l'embaràs en tres causals a Xile / The right to information: The role of Primary Health Care in theimplementation of the Abortion Law in Chile

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación cualitativa que indagasobre la implementación de la ley de interrupción del embarazo que despenalizó elaborto en tres causales específicas en Chile en 2017 (Ley 21.030) y el rol que laatención primaria de salud (APS) en la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Serealizaron 19 entrevistas a personal de la salud de la APS y del nivel secundariode atención en la Región Metropolitana además de dos personas del Ministerio deSalud.El cambio de régimen de penalización total a uno de despenalización por causalesexige capacitación a los equipos de salud e información a la población. Loshallazgos revelan que la falta de información y capacitación formal al personalsanitario constituye un obstáculo para el ejercicio de los derechos de las mujeresque otorga la ley, produciéndose un efecto cascada, en que las mujeres nocuentan con la información suficiente para ejercer sus derechos. A ello se suma,una disposición en la ley que produce confusión entre profesionales sobrepublicidad e información sobre los servicios. Se analizan los resultados a partir deestándares normativos nacionales e internacionales respecto a la obligación deinformar, y el derecho a ser informado en contexto de prestaciones sanitarias relativas al aborto.(AU)

Es va realitzar un estudi exploratori a través d'una enquesta a Comitès d'Ètica a països d'Amèrica Llatina i el Carib de parla hispana, per rellevar la seva situació davant d'emergències sanitàriesi consultar els dilemes ètics enfrontats a les investigacions per a COVID-19. S'obtingueren respostes de 106 comitès, pertanyents a 14 països. Només el 24% va respondre que existia una xarxa de comunicació eficient i efectiva entre comitès, prèvia a la pandèmia. El 45% va respondre que no existien a la seva regió comitès específics per avaluar projectes vinculats a emergències sanitàries amb anterioritat a la pandèmia. El percentatge de CEI que disposava de procediments previs per avaluar investigacions ensituacions d'emergències sanitàries va ser només de 7%, si bé el 52% estava en procés d'elaboració arran de la pandèmia. El percentatge de CEI que va considerar raonable un temps inferior a 5 dies per a l'avaluació de projectes de recerca va variar en virtut del disseny: 32% per als estudis observacionals i 12% per als assaigs clínics amb drogues o amb vacunes.Els tres problemes ètics principals identificats als estudis per a COVID van estar relacionats amb el consentiment informat, els aspectes metodològics i la poca informació prèvia o manca d'evidència per als productes de recerca. Considerem que cal reformular la manera de pensar els problemes ètics de les emergències cap a un abordatge global, amb un enfocament preventiu, on les xarxes de col·laboració entre els CEI haurien de convertir-se en regla.(AU)

This article presents the results of a qualitative research that inquiriesabout theimplementation of the law on termination of pregnancy that decriminalized abortionon three specific grounds in Chile in 2017 (Law 21.030) and the role of primaryhealth care (PHC) in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Nineteen interviews wereconducted with PHC and secondary level of care health professionals in addition totwo officials from the Ministry of Health. The change from a regime of totalcriminalization to one of decriminalization by cause requires training for healthteams and information for the population.The findings reveal that the lack ofinformation and formal training for health personnel constitutes an obstacle to theexercise of women's rights under the law, producing a cascade effect in whichwomen do not have sufficient information to exercise their rights. In addition, thereis a provision in the law that causes confusion among professionals aboutadvertising and information on services.The results are analyzed on the basis ofnational and international normative standards regarding the obligation to informand the right to be informed in the context of health services related to abortion.(AU)

Primary care and abortion legislation in Chile: A failed point of entry.

While Chile's partial decriminalization of abortion in 2017 was a long overdue recognition of women's sexual and reproductive rights, nearly four years later the caseload remains well below expectations. This pattern is the product of standing barriers in access to abortion-related health services, especially at the primary care point of entry. This study seeks to identify and describe these barriers. The findings presented here were obtained through a qualitative, exploratory study based on 19 semi-structured interviews with relevant actors identified through non-random sampling and snowballing techniques. Coding was inductive and complemented by semantic content analysis. The authors find that the key barriers in primary care to accessing legal abortion are unfamiliarity with the law, insufficient practitioner training, intersectoral discrimination, and the stigma surrounding abortion. They conclude that the government needs to exercise its constitutional mandate as guarantor of public health and act promptly to safeguard and guarantee the abortion rights of Chilean women.

Primary health care, access to legal abortion and the notion of ideal victim among medical practitioners: The case of Chile.

In 2017, Chile enacted new legislation allowing access to legal abortion on three grounds, including rape. This article summarizes a qualitative, exploratory study that examined the role of primary healthcare services in the treatment of rape survivors in order to identify challenges and strengths in accessing legal abortion. The relevant data was collected through 19 semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants. The angry legislative debate that preceded enactment of the 2017 abortion bill evidenced the presence of strong biases against survivors of sexual violence. At the time, abortion opponents sought, inter alia, to discredit women who report rape, arguing that such claims would be misused to secure illicit abortions. In actual fact, however, rape has turned out to be the least used of all grounds for abortion, with girls and teens making up the smallest group of seekers. This article presents our findings on rape-related issues, notably the biases and shortcomings of medical practitioners regarding the new abortion law. We noted with concern their failure to screen for sexual violence and propensity to stigmatize the victims, a phenomenon that becomes exacerbated when it involves particularly vulnerable populations, such as girls and women who are poor, homeless, migrant, or who abuse alcohol or drugs. We further noted that prevalent stereotypes based on the notion of the ideal victim can revictimize girls and women and work to defeat the intent of the law. In Chile, the primary healthcare system is a key point of entry for abortion. In this highly charged arena, however, lack of political will, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, have kept health care practitioners from undergoing timely, gender-sensitive training on the new law, a key requirement for ensuring dignified care and respect for women's rights. We conclude that if government policy is to prevent multiple, intersectional discrimination, it must recognize the diversity of women and adapt to their specific contexts and singularities.

Conscientious objection as structural violence in the voluntary termination of pregnancy in Chile.

Introduction: After three decades of the absolute prohibition of abortion, Chile enacted Law 21,030, which decriminalizes voluntary pregnancy termination when the person is at vital risk, when the embryo or fetus suffers from a congenital or genetic lethal pathology, and in pregnancy due to rape. The law incorporates conscientious objection as a broad right at the individual and institutional levels. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the exercise of conscientious objection in public health institutions, describing and analyzing its consequences and proposals to prevent it from operating as structural violence. Materials and methods: This study uses a qualitative, post-positivist design. At the national level, according to the chain technique, people who were identified as key actors due to their direct participation in implementing the law were included. Grounded theory was used to analyze the information obtained through a semi-structured interview. The methodological rigor criteria of transferability or applicability, dependability, credibility, auditability, and theoretical-methodological adequacy were met. Results: Data from 17 physicians, 5 midwives, 6 psychologists, 8 social workers, 2 nursing technicians, and 1 lawyer are included. From an inductive process through open coding, conscientious objection as structural violence and strategies to minimize the impact of objection emerge as meta-categories. The first meta-category emerges from the barriers linked to the implementation of the law, the infringement of the rights of the pregnant person, and pseudo conscientious objection, affecting timely and effective access to pregnancy termination. The second meta-category emerges as a response from the participants, proposing strategies to prevent conscientious objection from operating as structural violence. Conclusion: Conscientious objection acts as structural violence by infringing the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights. The State must fulfill its role as guarantor in implementing public policies, preventing conscientious objection from becoming hegemonic and institutionalized violence.

Prevalencia y características de objetores de conciencia a la Ley 21. 030 en instituciones públicas / Prevalence and characteristics of conscientious objectors to Law 21. 030 in public institutions

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Ley 21.030 permite la objeción de conciencia al personal de salud al interior del pabellón y a las instituciones privadas. Ha sido considerada conflicto de intereses no monetario, al anteponer los valores personales, afectando el cumplimiento del deber profesional. OBJETIVOS: Establecer la prevalencia de funcionarios/as objetores/as en los hospitales de la red pública del país y caracterizarles según edad, género y nacionalidad. MÉTODO: Estudio cuantitativo, analítico y transversal. Se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Para medir la asociación entre variables sociodemográficas, profesión y causal objetada, se utilizaron las pruebas de χ2, exacta de Fisher y de Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: En 57 hospitales, se observa una mayor frecuencia de objetores en causal 3. En 443 objetores, la mediana de edad fue de 43 años, el 64,8% mujeres y el 87,4% de nacionalidad chilena. En las zonas centro y sur del país se concentra la mayor proporción de hospitales con más del 50% de objetores. CONCLUSIONES: La dificultad para obtener información impide conocer cabalmente la magnitud de la objeción de conciencia. Resulta preocupante la alta prevalencia de objetores, específicamente en la causal violación. La objeción no puede operar como barrera que vulnere los derechos y la dignidad de las mujeres.

INTRODUCTION: Law 21.030 incorporates conscientious objection for health personnel inside the surgical ward and allows its invocation by private institutions. It has been considered a conflict of interest, not monetary, by putting personal values first, affecting the fulfillment of professional duty. OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of objectors in the countrys public network hospitals and characterize them according to age, gender, and nationality. METHOD: Quantitative, analytical, and cross-sectional study. Central and dispersion trend measures were used. For measuring the association between sociodemographic variables, profession and causal objected, test χ2, Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. RESULTS: In 57 hospitals, a higher frequency of objectors were observed in the third causal. In 443 objectors, the median age was 43 years, 64.8% are women, and 87.4% are Chilean. The central and southern areas of the country have the highest proportion of hospitals, with more than 50% objectors. CONCLUSIONS: The difficulty for obtaining the information prevents fully knowing the magnitude of conscientious objection in Chile. The high prevalence of objectors, specifically in the causal violation is worrying. The conscientious objection cannot operate as a barrier that violates the rights and dignity of women.

A critical review of conscientious objection and decriminalisation of abortion in Chile.

From 1989 through September 2017, Chile's highly restrictive abortion laws exposed women to victimisation and needlessly threatened their health, freedom and even lives. However, after decades of unsuccessful attempts to decriminalise abortion, legislation regulating pregnancy termination on three grounds was recently enacted. In the aftermath, an aggressive conservative drive designed to turn conscientious objection into a pivotal new obstacle, mounted during the congressional debate, has led to extensive, complex arguments about the validity and legitimacy of conscientious objection. This article offers a critical review of the emergence of conscientious objection and its likely policy and ethical implications. It posits the need to regulate conscientious objection through checks and balances designed to keep it from being turned into an ideological barrier meant to hinder women's access to critical healthcare.

Patrón de sangrado uterino en adolescentes usuarias de implante anticonceptivo subdérmico de etonogestrel / Uterine bleeding patterns of adolescents using the long term etonogestrel contraceptive implant

Objetivo: Describir las características del patrón sangrado uterino de las adolescentes que usan el implante anticonceptivo sudérmico de etonogestrel (IASE) que concurren a un centro especializado en salud sexual y reproductiva de adolescentes en Santiago, Chile, y su asociación con variables biopsicosocial. Método: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva de las usuarias de IASE. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando la ecuación de estimación generalizada, análisis de sobrevida de Kaplan Meier y test de log-rank. Resultados: La cohorte incluyó a 62 adolescentes. La media de edad fue de 16,2 años. Las participantes recibieron asesoramiento anticonceptivo antes de la inserción del IASE, y fueron seguidas durante tres años. Los patrones de sangrado más frecuentes durante el primer año fue el de amenorrea (40,5%) y el sangrado aceptable (27,1%), mientras que el menos frecuente fue prolongado y/o sangrado frecuente (15,8%). De acuerdo con el análisis de sobrevida, la única variable biopsicosocial asociado con patrón prolongado y/o sangrado frecuente fue condición médica previa. Cinco adolescentes (8%) se retiraron el IASE. Conclusiones: El IASE es una opción anticonceptiva segura y altamente eficaz para las adolescentes, independientemente de la paridad. La consejería es de gran importancia para fomentar la tolerancia y la adhesión al implante.

Objectives: To describe uterine bleeding patterns of adolescents using the long term etonogestrel contraceptive implant (ENG implant) attending a specialized adolescent sexual and reproductive health centre in Santiago, Chile, and test their association with bio-psychosocial variables. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of ENG implant users was conducted and data were analysed using the Generalized Estimating Equation, Kaplan Meier Survival Analysis and Log-Rank Test. Results: The cohort included 62 adolescents with and average age at inclusion of 16.2 years. Participants received contraceptive counselling prior to insertion of an ENG implant, and were followed up for three years. The most frequent bleeding patterns during the first year were amenorrhea (40.5%) and acceptable bleeding (27.1%), whilst the least frequent was prolonged and/or frequent bleeding (15.8%). According to the survival analysis, the only bio-psychosocial variable associated with prolonged and/or frequent bleeding was prior medical condition. Five adolescents (8%) withdrew from the treatment. Conclusions: The ENG implant is a safe and highly effective contraceptive option for adolescents, regardless of parity. Counselling is of great importance to foster tolerance and adherence to the ENG implant.

Efectos secundarios en adolescentes chilenas usuarias de implante anticonceptivo subdérmico de etonogestrel / Side effects of etonogestrel contraceptive implants in Chilean adolescents

OBJETIVO: Analizar los efectos secundarios del uso del implante anticonceptivo subdermico de etonogestrel (IASE) en adolescentes chilenas. Personas, material y método: Estudio analítico de una cohorte de adolescentes usuarias de IASE entre los años 2007 y 2012. RESULTADOS: Se indicó el IASE en 62 adolescentes. La edad promedio en el momento de la colocación del IASE fue de 16,2 años. El 88,7% de las adolescentes habían iniciado actividad sexual. El 83,9% refirió alguna patología: un 25,8% un problema médico de salud y un 58,1% una patología mental. El 15,5% eran obesas. El 65,3% no presentó efectos secundarios en los primeros 3 meses de uso del IASE. El efecto secundario más frecuente el primer año fue la cefalea (15,9%) y en el segundo año la mastalgia (15,9%). Durante el tercer año de uso el 73,4% no presentó efectos secundarios. El porcentaje de adolescentes obesas se elevó desde el 15,5 hasta el 22,6% desde el inicio del uso del IASE hasta el final, y el porcentaje de adolescentes de bajo peso también aumentó, desde un 3,5 hasta un 7,6%. Se observó un incremento de peso de 4,217 kg al tercer año de uso y un aumento del índice de masa corporal de 1,67 kg/m2 el último año (p= 0,001 y 0,001, respectivamente). Durante el periodo del estudio se realizaron 5 extracciones prematuras del IASE (8%): en 2 casos por deseo de embarazo, en 1 por metrorragia que no respondió a tratamiento, en 1 por aumento de peso y en 1 por exacerbación del acné. No se produjeron embarazos durante el uso del IASE y hubo 15 adolescentes que recambiaron el IASE. CONCLUSIONES: Los efectos secundarios afectaron a un porcentaje bajo de adolescentes y la extracción del IASE por esta causa se dio en 2 casos. Contar con profesionales capacitados en el asesoramiento en salud y un mejor acceso al IASE podría aumentar el uso de este método anticonceptivo, contribuyendo así a disminuir el número de embarazos no deseados

OBJECTIVE: To assess the side effects with the use of etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant (ESQ) in Chilean adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cohort users ESCI adolescents between 2007 and 2012. RESULTS: It was indicated ESQ 62 teenagers. The average age at inclusion was 16.2 years. 88.7% of adolescents had initiated sexual activity. 25.8% reported a medical pathology and 58.10/o a mental health pathology. I 5.50/o were obese. 65.3 o/o do not have any side effects the first three months of using ESQ. The most common side effect was headache first year, 15.90/o in the second year breast pain I 5.90/o. During the third year of use 73.40/o did not have any side effects. The nutritional obesity rose from 15.50/o to 22.60/o since the beginning of the use of ESQ until the end, while the emaciated nutritional status also increased from 3.50/o to 7.60/o. Weight gain in 4.217 kilograms in the third year of use and an increase in body mass index of 1.67 kilos/ m2 last year is observed (p= 0.006 and p= 0.007). There were 5 (8o/o) removals, two desire pregnancy, metrorhagia not responded to treatment, and by a weight gain due to exacerbation of acne were performed. No pregnancies occur during use of ESQ and were 15 teenagers to continue with ESQ. CONCLUSIONS: Side effects occurred in a small percentage and removal of IASE for this cause occurred in two cases. Have professionals trained in counselling and improved access to ESQ, could increase the use of this, helping to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies

Síndrome premenstrual y trastorno disfórico premenstrual en la adolescencia / Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder during adolescence

Hasta 85 por ciento de las mujeres en edad fértil presentan síntomas premenstruales. Sólo algunas de ellas cumplen criterios para Síndrome Premenstrual (SPM) y menos aún para Trastorno Disfórico Premenstrual (TDPM). Ambas patologías comienzan en la adolescencia y se asocian a consecuencias negativas que interfieren en el funcionamiento diario. A pesar de eso, pocas adolescentes consultan por estos síntomas y, cuando consultan, muchas veces, no reciben el diagnóstico ni el tratamiento adecuado. En este artículo se hace una revisión de la epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento del SPM y del TDPM en adolescentes. Educación sobre cambios en estilo de vida, alimentación saludable y ejercicio, son las intervenciones más recomendadas en adolescentes. En cambio, en adultos habría mayor evidencia en tratamiento hormonal y con psicotrópicos.

Up to 85 percent of women of child bearing age present premenstrual symptoms. Only some of them meet criteria for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and even less for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Both diseases begin in adolescence and are associated with negative consequences that interfere with daily functioning. Despite this, few adolescents consult for these symptoms, and when they consult, they do not get proper diagnosis and treatment. In this article we review the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of PMS and PMDD in adolescents. Education on lifestyle changes, healthy nutrition and exercise are the interventions most recommended in adolescents. In contrast, in adults, hormone therapy and psychotropic have greater evidence.

[Factors associated with maintenance of contraception among adolescents]. / Factores asociados a la continuidad del uso anticonceptivo en adolescentes solteras nulíparas.

BACKGROUND: Factors such as personal issues, family, sexuality and sexual partner characteristics are strongly associated with contraceptive continuation among single, nulliparous female adolescents. AIM: To determine factors associated to contraceptive maintenance among female nulliparous adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 2,811 adolescents, who confidentially requested contraception in a sexual and reproductive health university center from 1990 to 2006 was analyzed. Two years after the request, their clinical records were reviewed to determine the time and length of contraception. Using life table analysis, the variables related to continuation or discontinuation of contraception were identified. RESULTS: Factors associated with a longer contraceptive use were a lower age at the moment of initiating the method, a better academic achievement and aspirations, higher schooling of the partner, higher age of the mother, having an adolescent mother, supervision of permissions by people different than parents and not attending to religious services. Variables associated with a higher risk for abandonment were a higher age of the adolescent, greater number of sexual partners, lack of communication with parents, non-catholic religious affiliation, use of oral hormonal contraceptive, greater number of siblings, commenting sexual issues with relatives or friends, having a partner without academic activity or working and to live without parents. CONCLUSIONS: Several personal, familial and environmental factors influence contraceptive use continuity among adolescents.

Factores asociados a la continuidad del uso anticonceptivo en adolescentes solteras nulíparas / Factors associated with maintenance of contraception among adolescents

Background: Factors such as personal issues, family, sexuality and sexual partner characteristics are strongly associated with contraceptive continuation among single, nulliparous female adolescents. Aim To determine factors associated to contraceptive maintenance among female nulliparous adolescents. Material and methods: A cohort of 2,811 adolescents, who confidentially requested contraception in a sexual and reproductive health university center from 1990 to 2006 was analyzed. Two years after the request, their clinical records were reviewed to determine the time and length of contraception. Using life table analysis, the variables related to continuation or discontinuation of contraception were identified. Results: Factors associated with a longer contraceptive use were a lower age at the moment of initiating the method, a better academic achievement and aspirations, higher schooling of the partner, higher age of the mother, having an adolescent mother, supervision of permissions by people different than parents and not attending to religious services. Variables associated with a higher risk for abandonment were a higher age of the adolescent, greater number of sexual partners, lack of communication with parents, non-catholic religious affiliation, use of oral hormonal contraceptive, greater number of siblings, commenting sexual issues with relatives or friends, having a partner without academic activity or working and to live without parents. Conclusions: Several personal, familial and environmental factors influence contraceptive use continuity among adolescents (RevMéd Chile 2009; 137:1187-92).

Comparative performance of a combined injectable contraceptive (50 mg norethisterone enanthate plus 5mg estradiol valerate) and a combined oral contraceptive (0.15 mg levonorgestrel plus 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol) in adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare in a regular non-clinical trial experience the efficacy, acceptability, and continuation rates of an injectable contraceptive containing 50 mg norethisterone enanthate plus 5mg estradiol valerate (IC) and an oral contraceptive containing 0.15 mg levonorgestrel plus 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol (OC), among adolescent users. DESIGN: A total of 251 adolescents ages 14-19 were followed during 12 months. The IC group (124 subjects) was studied for 1044 cycles and the OC group (127 subjects) was studied for 1368 cycles. The users were not assigned in a random selection. Information was collected from clinical records. Groups were compared using Pearson chi-square, odds ratio (95% confidence interval), t-test, and proportion difference test. RESULTS: The IC group had significant differences in baseline social risk, confidence, psychiatric problems, consumption of alcohol, and number of sexual partners. At 12 months, the IC group showed significant decrease in weight and increase in hypermenorrhea. In the OC group, dysmenorrhea decreased, and hypomenorrhea and regular cycles were significantly more frequent. One pregnancy occurred in the OC group (Pearl Index: 0.88). Final continuation rates at 12 months were 41.9% and 37.8% for IC and OC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The monthly injectable is a recommended contraceptive option for adolescents, especially for those facing psychosocial risk factors.

Comportamientos sexuales y diferencias de género en adolescentes usuarios de un sistema público de salud universitario / Sexual behavior and gender differencesamong adolescents consultingat a university public health system

Background: The predetermined gender roles and the emphasis on reproductive responsibility on women, excluding men, have negative consequences on their sexual reproductive health and satisfactory sexual practices. Aim: To describe and analyze changes in sexual practices and gender differences in adolescents of the lower-middle socioeconomic level, users of public health system who started their sexual activity. Material and methods: We studied 4,971 adolescents of both sexes aged between 12 and 19 years, who consulted in a clinic for adolescents between the years 1990 and 2005. Several variables related to adolescent sexuality were considered. Uni and bivariate analysis were carried out and a model of stratified lineal regression per sex was fixed to explain the following variables: age at which sexual activity is initiated, number of sexual partners, time period between start of dating and the start of sexual activity along time. Results: The average age when men and women start their sexual activity was 15.7 and 15.5years, respectively. Along years and among women but not men, there was a reduction in the age of start of sexual activity and an increase in the number of sexual partners. The mean íapse between start of dating and the start of sexual activity in men and women was 6.2 and 7.5 months, respectively. This figure had an 11.696 and 13.9 percent reduction per year of study in females and males, respectively. Conclusions: There is an increasing expansion of sexual roles in adolescents, but certain patterns of contradictory conservative reasoning are maintained.

[Sexual behavior and gender differences among adolescents consulting at a university public health system]. / Comportamientos sexuales y diferencias de género en adolescentes usuarios de un sistema público de salud universitario.

BACKGROUND: The predetermined gender roles and the emphasis on reproductive responsibility on women, excluding men, have negative consequences on their sexual reproductive health and satisfactory sexual practices. AIM: To describe and analyze changes in sexual practices and gender differences in adolescents of the lower-middle socioeconomic level, users of public health system who started their sexual activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 4,971 adolescents of both sexes aged between 12 and 19 years, who consulted in a clinic for adolescents between the years 1990 and 2005. Several variables related to adolescent sexuality were considered. Uni and bivariate analysis were carried out and a model of stratified lineal regression per sex was fixed to explain the following variables: age at which sexual activity is initiated, number of sexual partners, time period between start of dating and the start of sexual activity along time. RESULTS: The average age when men and women start their sexual activity was 15.7 and 15.5 years, respectively. Along years and among women but not men, there was a reduction in the age of start of sexual activity and an increase in the number of sexual partners. The mean lapse between start of dating and the start of sexual activity in men and women was 6.2 and 7.5 months, respectively. This figure had an 11.696 and 13.9% reduction per year of study in females and males, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increasing expansion of sexual roles in adolescents, but certain patterns of contradictory conservative reasoning are maintained.

Factores familiares asociados al uso de anticonceptivos en mujeres adolescentes solteras sexualmente activas / Associated familiar factors to use of contraceptives in sexually active unmarried adolescent women

La información de investigaciones previas sugiere que varios factores familiares están fuertemente asociados al uso continuo de anticonceptivos en mujeres adolescentes, solteras, sexualmente activas. Entre los factores familiares más importantes están: filiación, figura de crianza, calidad de la relación familiar, comunicación familiar en temas sexuales, escolaridad de los padres, control parental. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar factores familiares que se asocian al uso consistente de anticonceptivos en adolescentes, solteras sexualmente activas. Se estudió 2021 adolescentes, solteras, sexualmente activas que solicitaron en forma confidencial anticonceptivos en CEMERA, entre los años 1990 a 2001. A todas ellas se les aplicó un cuestionario previamente diseñado, en la primera consulta y que fue completado con entrevistas posteriores. Se revisaron las fichas clínicas de cada una de ellas para conocer el tipo de método anticonceptivo indicado y el tiempo de uso. Se compararon dos grupos: adolescentes que usaron el método indicado por mas de 6 meses, llamadas usuarias continuadoras, y adolescentes que usaron por menos de 6 meses el método, usuarias discontinuadoras. Se seleccionaron 18 variables familiares para comparar ambos grupos. La información recolectada fue ingresada a una base de datos para su análisis. Se realizaron análisis uni y bivariado. El software EPI INFO 6.0 fue utilizado. Los resultados muestran que la filiación, figura de crianza, calidad de la relación familiar, escolaridad de los padres, control parental, tipo de castigo y comunicación familiar no muestran diferencias entre los grupos.