The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50848

S. Guevara, Elizabeth Aliaga, PSIC, Dorina Vereau, MPH, and M. Martin. Pathfinder International, 9 Galen St. Suite 217, Watertown, MA 02472, 617-924-7200, ghainsworth@pathfind.org

The country's statistics show that adolescent pregnancy is greater in illiterates, orphans, migrants, rural area residents and those lacking basic necessities as well as those living in homes without a nuclear family or where the head-of-family does not work.

The "ALCANCE" Project (family planning for high-risk populations), administered by Pathfinder International and Prisma, collaborates with 8 NGOs to provide quality FP/RH services to poor rural and peri-urban areas (La Libertad, Puno, Areuipa, Loreto, Ayacucho, Cuzco, Huancavelica). From September through November 1998, adolescents from rural areas were surveyed in order to increase ALCANCE's knowledge of adolescents' psychosexual growth, their perceptions about sexuality and reproductive health, and their sexual behavior. From that study, intervention strategies were designed to prevent pregnancy in adolescents.

A questionnaire about knowledge, attitudes and behavior was administered to 2300 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years old and focus groups were conducted in segregated groups according to sex and age (10-14 and 15-19). Results showed that 24% of adolescents had engaged in sexual intercourse and 80% were using a FP method. Factors associated with initiation of sexual activity were sex and age (males above 15 years old), high levels of sexual interest in males, low self-esteem in females, working adolescents, having friends who are sexually active, and poor communication with parents.

This presentation will explore how the dynamics of gender stereotypes, youth, and adolescents working to supplement their families' income contribute to important decisions regarding reproductive health.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to

(
• describe the characteristics of rural adolescents' sexuality; (
• explore the self-perception of psychosexual development in rural adolescents; (
• identify factors associated with sexual initiation in rural adolescents; and (
• apply lessons learned to improve programs aimed at rural adolescents living in extreme poverty.

Keywords: Adolescents, International, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement: