Trends in teenage pregnancy in Brazil in the last 20 years (2000-2019).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of teenage pregnancy in all Brazilian regions and states in the period of 2000-2019 among two age groups, namely, 10-14 and 15-19 years old, and correlate it with the human development index. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed by using the data from the Live Birth Info System from the National Health System's database. RESULTS: The percentage of live births from teenage mothers (age 10-19 years) in Brazil decreased by 37.2% (i.e., 23.4 in 2000 to 14.7% in 2019) in all regions. Amazonas and Maranhão were the only states to show increased fertility rates for teens in the age group of 10-14 years. The fertility index decreased from 80.9-48% in all states among mothers aged 15-19 years. Only the Southeast and South regions showed levels below the Brazilian average (i.e., 38.2 and 39%, respectively). The proportion of live birth showed an inversely proportional trend to the human development index score. CONCLUSIONS: Brazil shows a decline in the percentage of live birth among adolescent mothers and the fertility rate. Live birth is inversely proportional to the human development index score. However, the teenage pregnancy numbers are still high, with great regional inequality in the country.

Obesidade na infância e adolescência / Obesity in childhood and adolescence

A obesidade é uma doença crônica e multifatorial com sérias repercussões na saúde. O excesso de peso na infância aumenta o risco de obesidade na adolescência e na vida adulta. A obesidade é uma das principais causas de hipertensão arterial em crianças e adolescentes. No sexo feminino, os problemas ginecológicos relacionados com a obesidade incluem as desordens menstruais e a diminuição da fertilidade na adolescência e na vida adulta. O controle dessa patologia evita a sua evolução para formas crônicas e graves, que acarretaria novos transtornos e consequências para essas jovens. A mudança de hábitos alimentares e a realização de atividade física são a principal linha de tratamento. O tratamento medicamentoso é reservado para portadoras de obesidade grave que apresentam comorbidades associadas e que não respondem às mudanças do estilo de vida. (AU)

Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease with serious repercussions on health. Overweight in childhood increases the risk of obesity in adolescence and adulthood. Obesity is one of the main causes of high blood pressure in children and adolescents, among others. In women, gynecological problems related to obesity include menstrual disorders and decreased fertility in adolescence and adulthood. The control of this pathology prevents its evolution to chronic and severe forms that would cause new disorders and consequences for these young women. The main line of treatment is to change eating habits and encourage physical activity. Drug treatment is reserved for patients with severe obesity, who have associated comorbidities and who do not respond to changes in lifestyle.(AU)

Prevalence and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis and other vulvovaginitis in a population of sexually active adolescents from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and genital candidiasis are considered the main etiologies of vulvovaginitis. Few studies estimate the prevalence of vulvovaginitis among adolescents, especially in Brazil. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and main risk factors associated with bacterial vaginosis and genital infection by C. albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis among a group of adolescents from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. One hundred sexually active adolescents followed at an adolescent gynecology clinic were included. Endocervical and vaginal samples were obtained during gynecological examination. Nugent criteria were applied for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. For Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis detection, culture in Sabouraud agar plates and Papanicolaou cytology were used, respectively. The mean age of participants was 16.6 ± 1.6 years. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 20% (95% CI 12-28) and of genital infection by Candida was 22% (95% CI 14-30). Vaginal cytology detected Trichomonas vaginalis in one patient. Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use (P = 0.02) and multiple lifetime partners were statistically related to bacterial vaginosis (P = 0.01). The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and genital candidiasis was similar to other studies carried out among adolescents worldwide.

Prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually active adolescents from Salvador, Brazil.

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents is increasing worldwide. Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases in young women, and undetected disease is highly associated with long-term complications in women. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a sexually active population of female adolescents from Salvador, Brazil, and to describe their socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics. 100 sexually active adolescents (10-19 years) were included in this study, between 2008 and 2010. Endocervical samples were obtained during gynecological examination. Inhouse polymerase chain reaction of cervical specimens was used for Chlamydia trachomatis detection. The overall prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection was 31% (95% CI 22-40). There were no statistically significant differences in the age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, and frequency of condom use between Chlamydia infected and uninfected adolescents. The prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection among adolescents from Salvador was the highest in Brazil up to the present date. These results demonstrate an urgent need for continued and comprehensive prevention strategies along with proper screening for Chlamydia in high-risk populations in order to decrease the rates of infection.