Acta Medica Port
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[Determinants of Adolescent Pregnancy in the Municipality of Malanje, Angola: A Case-Control Study].
Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health problem, with some of the highest rates observed in Sub-Saharan Africa. This phenomenon contributes to maternal and neonatal mortality and may result in diverse economic and psychological consequences. Knowledge of its determinants can help decision-makers to design local policies of sexual and reproductive health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the determinant factors of adolescent pregnancy in the municipality of Malanje, Angola. ⋯ In Malanje, adolescent pregnancy is a multifactorial phenomenon, and preventive strategies must consider the adolescents' age. Among adolescents aged 15 - 17, early marriages, should be reduced, through the promotion of education and the creation of specific laws. For older adolescents, preventive strategies should be focused on avoiding risky behaviors such as early initiation of sexual activity and multiple sexual partners. Comprehensive sexual education, including knowledge about contraceptive methods should be promoted.
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In Portugal, constitutional and legal norms stipulate that the healthcare system should be organized to ensure equity in access to healthcare. To guarantee this objective, it is usually assumed that individuals from different socio-economic groups presenting equal levels of need should have access to the same level of care. The present narrative review describes current knowledge on this topic. ⋯ In Portugal, equity in access has not been achieved for most types of health care. Particularly in the case of specialized health care, better-off groups of the population used more care for a given level of need. The situations where inequity exists should be examined and corrected; potential access barriers within the National Health Service should be considered, as the public healthcare system bears the responsibility for ensuring equity.