New WHO guideline on adolescent pregnancy – World Health Organization (WHO)

Preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries

Introduction

Adolescent pregnancy remains a critical global issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where 21 million girls aged 15–19 become pregnant each year—half unintentionally. Although global adolescent birth rates have declined, progress is uneven, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Social, economic, and cultural factors heavily influence adolescent pregnancy. Girls from poorer or less educated backgrounds are most affected. Child marriage, restrictive gender norms, and limited access to education and employment perpetuate cycles of early marriage and childbearing. Access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services remains limited. Many adolescents lack essential information on puberty, contraception, and sexual health. Barriers such as stigma, legal restrictions, and provider biases hinder access to contraception, with persistent inequities across regions and groups. The impacts of adolescent pregnancy go beyond health, affecting education, economic prospects, and social well-being. Addressing it requires coordinated, multisectoral efforts. Since the 2011 WHO guideline, new evidence has led to a more targeted approach, focusing on specific adolescent groups.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Preventing child marriage and responding to the needs and rights of married girls.
2. Improving adolescent access to, uptake of, and continued use of contraception.

Webinar objectives:

• Launch the updated WHO guideline on preventing early pregnancy and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries.
• Host panel discussions with stakeholders to explore dissemination and implementation strategies and opportunities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
   • Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
   • Indicator 4.7.2: Percentage of schools that provide life skills-based HIV and sexuality education within the national curriculum.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are:

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
• Indicator 4.7.2: Percentage of schools that provide life skills-based HIV and sexuality education within the national curriculum.
• Indicator 5.3.1: Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int