GENDER AND SOCIAL DIFFERENCES IN ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY AND REPRODUCTION IN NICARAGUA

Purpose: The aim of this research was to study gender and social diffe rences in adolescent sexuality and reproduction, as reflected in age a t first intercourse and age at first pregnancy, as a basis for future interventions in the municipality of Leon, Nicaragua. Methods: In a co mmunity-based cross-sectional study including 7789 households, all wom en aged 15-49 years (n = 10,867) were interviewed about socioeconomic, sexual, and reproductive issues. A random subsample of men (n = 388) and women (n = 413) aged 15-49 years was interviewed in more detail ab out sexual patterns and reproduction. Results: The median age at first intercourse for women and men was 17.8 and 16.2 years, respectively. Women's average latency period to end of first pregnancy was 22 months . There was a significant tendency to start active sexual life later a mong today's girls aged 15-20 years, compared to the groups 21-27, 28- 35, and 36-49 years old. A similar trend was found in age at first pre gnancy. These secular trends were not found among men. Age at first pr egnancy for current adolescents was lower among those having less form al education. Conclusions: The short latency period between first sexu al intercourse and end of first pregnancy, probably reflecting lack of access to counseling and contraception, is worrying in light of the g rowing sexually transmitted disease/human immunodeficiency virus threa t. The secular trend of later start of reproduction, however, is a pos itive sign which partly may be an effect of increasing education in th e Nicaraguan society. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1997.