Pregnant Adolescents and Stigmatization: Experience in a Family Medicine Unit in Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To identify the sociodemographic characterization and the presence of stigmatization in pregnant adolescents. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the General Hospital and Family Medicine No. 2 of Zacapu, Michoacán, Mexico. It was carried out between February and July 2023. The participants agreed to participate and signed the informed consent letter or the informed assent letter in the case of minors.  sample size estimation was obtained through the use ofa formula for a finite population. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed. The “Stigmatization of Pregnant Adolescents Scale” was applied to assess the presence of  low, medium, and high stigmatization.  The Graffar-Méndez Castellanos Questionnaire was also applied to assess socioeconomic status. Results: 64 pregnant adolescents were interviewed, 5 (7.8%) in early adolescence, 14 (21.9%) in middle adolescence, and 45 (70.3%) in late adolescence. 54 (84.3%) were stigmatized: high 24 (37.5%), medium 15 (23.4%), low 15 (23.4%). High stigmatization was more frequent in pregnant housewives 23 (35.9%), cohabiting 26 (40.6%), high school education 26 (40.6%), Catholic 48 (75.0%) and primiparous 48 (75.0%). Conclusions: There is a high level of stigmatization in pregnant adolescents; hence the importance of the participation of the multidisciplinary team at the first level of care to intervene not only in the health care of the adolescent, but also in the household family..