Childhood abuse as a risk factor for adolescent pregnancy in El Salvador.

Purpose: To determine whether having been abused as a child increases the risk of adolescent pregnancy in El Salvador and whether intimate partner violence during adolescence affects the association.

Methods: Using data from 3753 women between the ages of 15 and 24 from a nationally representative household health survey of Salvadoran women (FESAL 2002/2003), the association between history of childhood abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and witnessing abuse of one's mother) and adolescent pregnancy was explored using multiple logistic regression analyses. The effect of intimate partner violence during adolescence on the relationship was explored among a subgroup of 15-19-year-olds.

Results: The risk of adolescent pregnancy was significantly higher among women abused as children. Women who were sexually abused, physically abused, or who experienced any type of abuse had a 48%, 42%, and 31% higher risk, respectively, of adolescent pregnancy than those without a history of abuse, after adjusting for confounding factors. Intimate partner violence during adolescence was also strongly and significantly linked with adolescent pregnancy risk.

Conclusions: This is the first study from a Latin American country to demonstrate a relationship between childhood abuse and adolescent pregnancy. Greater efforts are needed to promote detection of abuse, expand knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, protect vulnerable youth, and to advocate for greater rights and social protections to Salvadoran children and adolescents.