Adolescent Fertility in the Department of Atlántico, Colombia

Abstract

This study describes the fertility patterns of adolescents of the Department of Atlántico, in the Colombian Caribbean. Recent research has found that preg- nancy at an early age has negative implications for the mother, such as school desertion, low participation in the labor market, and higher risk of maternal death. For the child, there are also higher health risks, such as low weight and premature birth. Using data from the National Survey of Demographic and Health (ENDS) for 2010, we examine the sexual and reproductive dynamics of women between the ages of 15 and 24. In general, we find that there is a higher incidence of adolescent maternity in women with low levels of education, live in rural zones or that classifies in the lowest stratification. We also describe and analyze Atlántico’s Crisálida program for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and offer some recommendations for its design.