THE BACKGROUND OF ADOLESCENT PREGNANCIES IN NICARAGUA - A QUALITATIVEAPPROACH

This article summarizes the initial findings of a multidisciplinary st udy aimed at understanding the complex social, economic, cultural and psychological contexts of unwanted and adolescent pregnancy in Nicarag ua. The results come from in-depth and focus group interviews with 29 adolescent and young women and men. Exposure to the risk of becoming p regnant appears voluntary at first glance, but the interviews reveal h ow economic deprivation, material dependency, and distributed family r elations with an unappeased craving for affection influence this behav iour. The ''Virgin Mary syndrome''-belief in the pure mother-and machi smo also contribute greatly. Actual real access to contraceptives appe ars to be limited less by pure ignorance than by negative attitudes am ong potential providers and other key persons in society, especially a s regards adolescents' contraceptive use. Lack of political will. reli gious influence, romanticism and lack of empowerment, especially among adolescent women, are also influencing elements. Copyright (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ltd