Impact of an educational strategy designed to prevent pregnancy in adolescents in the southern area of Manabí

Abstract

Introduction. Adolescent pregnancy is a persistent problem in rural areas of Ecuador, affecting the educational and social development of young people. Educational strategies have proven to be effective for its prevention. Objective. To evaluate the impact of a comprehensive educational strategy on adolescents in the southern zone of Manabí. Method. Quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/pos-test design and control group. A total of 283 students (140 males, 143 females) participated, with an average age of 16 years. The intervention included participatory sessions on sexual health, contraception and consent. Results. The intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge about contraceptive methods (82%), pregnancy risks (76%), and sexual consent (68%). Self-efficacy for condom uses also increased (71%) and high satisfaction with the strategy was reported. Conclusions. The educational intervention was effective in strengthening key competencies for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy. Its institutionalization and cultural adaptation for vulnerable contexts is recommended.