Sa mata ng kabataang Pilipino: adolescents’ perceptions of sexual intimacy, teenage pregnancy and its consequences.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine adolescent perceptions of sexual intimacy, teen pregnancy and pre-termination of pregnancy. The respondents were 400 males and females, categorized as "college students" (CS) and "out-of-school youth" (OSY), aged 15-24 years old from Metro Manila (urban) and selected rural areas in the Philippines. The study used the explanatory sequential mixed method consisting of a survey followed by in depth interviews with selected informants.

Chi Square test for Independence and Fisher’s Exact Test were used to determine significant differences between the groups of respondents. Pearson Product Moment Correlation indicated significant associations between the study and outcome variables. Taking all variables together, a regression analysis was done. For the qualitative part, content analysis identified themes, quotes, and patterns of responses. The results showed ambivalent perceptions of adolescent engagement in sexual intimacy in all groups. Although not statistically significant, majority of the respondents (OSY and CS) in both rural and urban settings were willing to take the risk of pregnancy based on their non-use of preventive measures during their last sexual intercourse.

Generally, respondents were not in favor of pretermination of pregnancy. In terms of their actual experience of sexual intimacy and teen pregnancy, significant differences were found between urban and rural respondents. Significantly more OSY reported to have these experiences compared to the CS groups. When all variables were taken together, the regression analysis showed that political views, quality of family relationships, experience of bullying, having a family member with early parenthood experience, experience of actual pregnancy and willingness to take risk of pregnancy were statistically associated with perceptions of adolescent sexual intimacy. Age at first sex, experience of actual pregnancy, age at first pregnancy and agreeableness of sexual intimacy were the significant factors associated with willingness to take risk of pregnancy. Age as a predictor of agreeableness to pre-terminated pregnancy remained statistically significant, although significant trends were found for having experience of verbal abuse and bullying. Recommendations were made to further strengthen adolescent reproductive health programs, especially for out-of-school youth, focusing on sex education, family relationships, counteracting childhood adverse experiences and right use of media to avoid unwanted situations such as early parenthood.