SSa, UNFPA Promote the Use of Contraceptive Methods

The Ministry of Health (SSa) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) published a guide for the prescription of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods for teenagers. The guide was published today in observance of the National Day for the Prevention of Unplanned Pregnancy in Adolescents, which is part of the National Strategy for Preventing Teenage Pregnancy (ENAPEA) that aims to avert undesired pregnancies. 

Among all OECD countries, Mexico has the highest rate of teen pregnancies: one in every five births is attributed to a teenage pregnancy. In 2021, there were 111,172 births reported from mothers between 10 and 17 years old in the country, according to INEGI. Chiapas, Guerrero and Puebla were the states in which more births of this nature were reported. 

“The increase in the use of LARC can strongly contribute in the prevention teenage pregnancy which is, without a question, a main challenge of reproductive and sexual health,” reads the guide.

Over 60 percent of the women in Mexico between 15 and 19 years old that use contraceptives rely on non-hormonal ones, such as condoms and the intrauterine device (IUD). However, the use of contraceptive methods in Mexico is still low. Of every 10 teenagers between 15 and 19 years old, four did not use any type of contraceptive in their first sexual relation. Around 37 percent of those said that they did not use contraception in their first sexual relation because it was an unplanned situation and over 27 percent did not protect themselves due to a lack of knowledge of contraceptive methods. This situation is a public health problem as 45 percent of the teenagers that do not use any type of contraceptive method get pregnant, as reported by the ENADID 2018. 

“To promote the use of contraceptive methods, the approach has to be changed. Contraceptive methods help to enjoy sexuality in a responsible way and takes away the concern of a pregnancy,” said Diana Tamayo, Responsible for the Friendly Service for Adolescents, Dra. Margarita Chorné y Salazar health center.

The LARC methods recommended for teenagers are hormonal injectables for bimonthly and quarterly application, subdermal implants and the IUD. However, the condom is still very much recommended as it does not require a medical prescription and is the only one that prevents both pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) simultaneously. Nonetheless, efforts are still taking place to encourage adolescents to use double protection. 

Moreover, the guide highlights the importance of incorporating human rights, gender and interculturality perspectives when prescribing contraceptive methods. “Considering human rights, gender and interculturality of adolescents in contraception and family planning services are premises for achieving quality care. It is a priority to take into account the specific needs of each adolescent who approaches health services,” reads the guide. 

This guide establishes the obligation of the state to guarantee access to integral sexual and reproductive health services without discrimination, according to Alanna Armitage, Mexico Representative, UNFPA.