Teen Pregnancy Prevention Research Articles

Racial Disparities in a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program: Abstinence-Only Versus a Comprehensive Sexuality Education Program.

Despite overall declines in risky teen sexual activity, racial and ethnic disparities persist. This study compared abstinence-only and comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programs to explore the effects of the programs on teen sexual activity-related outcomes that may differ by race/ethnicity. Program evaluation data were collected from 7th-grade students in comprehensive (N = 3244) and abstinence-only (N = 3172) TPP programs. Differences between outcomes by TPP program were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression for each racial/ethnic group. Black and Hispanic students were significantly less likely to indicate positive attitudes, intentions, and behaviors at baseline. Only white students significantly improved in both programs from pre- to post-assessment. Native American students in the abstinence-only program were significantly less likely than Native American students in the comprehensive sexuality programming to improve from pre- to post-assessment regarding male sexuality, refusal skills, sex and teen norms, and sexual abstinence. The findings suggest that youth of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds do not enter TPP programs with similar attitudes, intentions, or behavior regarding appropriate sexual behavior and that the impact of such programs also may vary by race and ethnicity.

Sex Education in the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy in Lambayeque

Comprehensive sexual education (CSE) seeks to prepare adolescents for a safe and healthy life. This study evaluated the effectiveness of sexual education programs in preventing adolescent pregnancy in Lambayeque, with a focus on their impact on reducing the rate of adolescent pregnancy, barriers and opportunities to improve sexual education in the region, the methodology, a bibliographic review was carried out and public health statistics were analyzed, the results eighty-five percent of students said their understanding of STD prevention and contraceptive techniques had significantly increased. This result is in line with research that demonstrate how well-designed educational initiatives can greatly increase young people's awareness of and ability to abstain from harmful sexual conduct. Additionally, 70% of respondents showed more positive attitudes toward contraceptive use, compared to 50% before the program was implemented. This change in attitudes is consistent with research indicating that comprehensive sexuality education can change attitudes toward contraception and promote safer sexual behaviors, disparities in the implementation and reach of sexual education programs in Lambayeque explain the differences in students' knowledge and attitudes. Improving coverage, ensuring the quality and comprehensive content of programs, providing adequate training to educators, and obtaining greater institutional and cultural support are crucial steps to increase the effectiveness of sexuality education in the region.

Assessing the incorporation of Ubuntu principles and values in the interventions for the prevention of teenage pregnancy: A scoping review

Despite many interventions already implemented, teenage pregnancy remains a public health problem globally. This scoping review assessed if incorporating Ubuntu principles and values in the interventions for preventing teenage pregnancy yielded favourable outcomes. The study followed methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O'Malley, which Levac, Colquhoun and O’Brien had modified. Relevant articles were searched and screened, and data was extracted and summarised. Studies searched using Google Scholar, EBSCOhost databases, APA Psyche, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Africa-wide information. The search yielded ten published papers appraised and published between 2019 and 2022. Four themes emerged from the scoping review: collectivism and solidarity, participatory decision-making, information sharing and mutual respect. The findings from this study strengthen the idea that Ubuntu principles and values should be incorporated when developing and implementing interventions for preventing teenage pregnancy. These could help improve the cooperation of teenagers and other stakeholders, promoting teamwork for effective and successful interventions.

Factors associated with teenage pregnancy among refugees in Palabek refugee settlement, Northern Uganda

BackgroundGlobally, teenage pregnancy is a public health problem. Low- and middle-income countries in the Sub-Saharan region are more affected with teenage pregnancy. It is worse with teenage girls who have other vulnerabilities like living in refugee camps. However, there is little information about teenage pregnancy in refugee camps especially in resource limited areas like Northern Uganda.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and the factors associated with teenage pregnancy among refugees in Palabek refugee settlement, Northern Uganda.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted among teenage girls in Palabek refugee settlement in Northern Uganda. The study estimated a total sample size of 316 teenage girls and they were sampled using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using researcher administered questionnaire. Conditional logistics regression was employed to identify the associated factors for teenage pregnancy.ResultsA total of 306 teenagers participated in the study with a response rate of 98.6%. The study showed that the prevalence of teenage pregnancy among teenage girls in Palabek refugee settlement, Northern Uganda was 41.2%. The factors associated with teenage pregnancy among teenage girls in Palabek refugee settlement included: being in the 15–19 years age group (AOR = 6.3, 95%CI: 1.8–22.8), not being in school (AOR = 5, 95%CI: 2.3–10.9), not being married (AOR = 0.2, 95%CI: 0.1–0.5), delayed sexual debut (AOR = 2.4, 95%CI: 1.1–5.5), having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.7), alcohol use (AOR = 6.7, 95%CI: 2.2–18.4), being aware of sexual reproductive health services (AOR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2–0.9), and having divorced families (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2–4.9).ConclusionStudy results reveal that 4 in 10 teenage girls in Palabek, Northern Uganda, are pregnant, influenced by individual, community, and health system factors. This highlights vulnerabilities in refugee camps, urging prioritization of sexual and reproductive health for adolescent girls in refugee camps.

Descriptive Representation and Reproductive Health Outcomes: The Role of Women Candidates in Reducing Teen Birth Rates.

Teen birth rates remain a pressing public health issue in the United States, with significant long-term health risks for both mothers and children. Previous research has primarily focused on the impact of women in elected office on reproductive health outcomes, but less is known about the influence of women candidates. This study explores the relationship between the number of women candidates in county-level elections and county-level teen birth rates, highlighting the role of women candidates as visible role models and agents of potential policy change. We utilized a dataset covering county-level elections from 2010 to 2020, along with teen birth rate data from the CDC. We employed a multilevel model to analyze the relationship between the cumulative number of women candidates and teen birth rates, controlling for socioeconomic and health-related factors, such as insurance coverage and social vulnerability. The findings indicate that as the number of women candidates increased, the estimated county-level teen birth rate declined. This effect was observed across different election years, with more substantial impacts in midterm and presidential elections. The analysis also confirmed that socioeconomic conditions, such as a lack of health insurance, contribute to higher teen birth rates. Women candidates, even when not elected, serve as important role models and influence reproductive health outcomes in their communities. Increasing the number of women candidates at the local level may be an effective strategy for reducing teen birth rates and improving public health outcomes.

The reasons for and influences of unintended teenage pregnancy in Kericho county, Kenya: a qualitative study.

Unintended teenage pregnancies are associated with greater health and socio-economic risks for teenage mothers and newborns. In Kenya, the government has declared a target for ending teenage pregnancy by 2030. However, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy has only decreased slightly, demonstrating the need for further efforts. Understanding teenage mothers' own experiences and perspectives is necessary to design appropriate interventions. A community-based qualitative study was conducted from March to May 2023. Two focus group discussions were conducted with community health volunteers and the mothers of teenage girls. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on the case histories of 19 teenage mothers and 18 key informants. Thematic analysis was subsequently performed using MAXQDA 2022. Four major reasons emerged for unintended teenage pregnancies: (1) lack of knowledge or awareness about the human reproductive system, (2) lack of knowledge about family planning (FP), (3) financial challenges, and (4) low access to FP. At the study site, cultural norms and stereotypes, such as "infertility caused by FP," "freedom of sex by promoting FP," and "cultural taboos on having sex before marriage and talking about sexuality," were observed as barriers in promoting FP to teenagers. In addition, teenagers from low socio-economic backgrounds were found to be more vulnerable because they can be easily exploited by men who can afford to provide for some of their basic needs. Regarding the influences of unintended teenage pregnancy on teenage mothers' lives, the 19 cases were classified into four categories: (1) dropping out of school, (2) financial challenges, (3) changing relationships with parents, and (4) no major influence. Crucially, unintended teenage pregnancies negatively influenced most study participants. Continuing education, supportive parental attitudes, positive perceptions of the relationship with the child's father, and having future perspectives were identified as factors mitigating the negative influences. Strengthening culturally appropriate comprehensive sexuality education and the school re-entry policy with a supportive environment may prevent unintended teenage pregnancy and mitigate its negative influences. As financial challenges can be both a reason for and a negative influence of unintended teenage pregnancy, economic empowerment interventions are necessary.

The Role of Parents in Preventing Teenage Pregnancy in Rural Areas of Banyumas District

Background:One of the factors contributing to Indonesia's high maternal mortality rate is the high incidence of teenage pregnancy in Banyumas. The family, particularly parents, plays a crucial role in influencing teenage pregnancy, as they are expected to act as educators, motivators, supervisors, communicators, and counselors for their teenagers. Objective:The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the role of parents in the prevention of teenage pregnancy. Methods:A cross-sectional study design was employed, focusing on female participants. A cluster random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 150 parents from the study population, using the proportion estimation formula. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire used were tested. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results:The univariate analysis revealed that 93.2% of respondents were female, 25.3% were aged between 38 and 42, 61.3% had only completed elementary school, 63.3% were housewives, 58% had incomes below IDR 1.350.000, 52% had monthly family expenses under IDR 1.350.000, and 42.7% had five or more dependents. The bivariate chi-square test showed an association between parental resources, the role of health professionals, knowledge, attitudes, and societal values in the prevention of teenage pregnancy. The multivariate analysis using logistic regression indicated that the value of people and resources significantly impacts the role of parents in this regard. Conclusion:The role of parents in preventing teenage pregnancy is influenced by the value placed on people and resources. Keywords: Maternal mortality; adolescent pregnancy; role of parents; knowledge; attitudes

Teenage childbearing and the welfare state

Abstract Teenage childbearing is a common incident in developed countries. However, teenage births are much more likely in the USA than in any other industrialized country. Most of these births are delivered by female teenagers from low-income families. The hypothesis put forward here is that the welfare state (a set of redistributive institutions) has a significant influence on teenage childbearing behavior. We develop an economic theory of parental investments and the risky sexual behavior of teenagers. The model is estimated to fit stylized facts about income inequality, intergenerational mobility, and the sexual behavior of teenagers in the USA. The welfare state institutions are introduced via tax and public education expenditure functions derived from US data. In a quantitative experiment, we impose Norwegian taxes and education spending in the economic environment. The Norwegian welfare state institutions go a long way in explaining the differences in teenage birth rates between the USA and Norway.

Teenage pregnancy and its associated factors in Kenya: a multilevel logistic regression analysis based on the recent 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey

ABSTRACT Teenage pregnancy remains a critical public health issue in developing countries, significantly impacting maternal health. In Kenya, despite an expected decrease in teenage pregnancy rates from 18% in 2014 to 15% in 2022, evidence on its prevalence and associated factors is still limited. This study utilized data from the latest Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, analysing 6,390 participants through multilevel binary logistic regression. The findings revealed a 15.3% prevalence (95%CI: 14.4, 16.2%) and identified key factors linked to teenage pregnancy, including being aged 18–19, higher education, contraceptive use, unemployment, wealth status, media exposure, and a higher proportion of uneducated individuals. The study underscores the urgent need for strategic investment in policy development and evaluation to enhance adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Targeted interventions should prioritize economically disadvantaged households, focusing on maternal education and empowerment to reduce teenage pregnancies by 2030.

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on human development, education and social welfare: A case of Central Visayas

This paper highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on the social sector. To curb infection spread, social and economic activities were limited, challenging human development. The study utilized an ecological design to analyze the situation of the social sector in Central Visayas, Philippines. Data from government and international organizations revealed strengths and vulnerabilities in these areas. Notably, disparities in enrollment and graduation rates before and during the pandemic indicate issues in retaining students. Poor performance, low cohort survival, and declining literacy rates suggest future societal challenges with less competent individuals. Additionally, increasing population density, teenage pregnancy, depression, and suicide rates compromise social welfare. The region requires improved access to quality education, responsive social safety nets, and strengthened physical and mental health programs to enhance human and social development and future-proof the sector.

Exploring adolescent-facing US clinicians' perceptions of their contraceptive counseling and use of shared decision-making: A qualitative study.

Adolescent contraceptive decision-making is influenced by a number of patient and clinician-driven factors. Although the AAP continues to endorse an efficacy-based model of contraceptive counseling, many professional organizations are shifting to a shared decision-making model as the optimal approach for providing unbiased and patient-driven contraceptive counseling. While SDM is intended to reduce the influence of clinician bias, it can exacerbate inequity if a clinician tailors a conversation based on their assumptions of a patient's goals or preferences. In this qualitative study, we explored self-reported contraceptive counseling practices among US-based clinicians who see adolescent patients to assess how these practices create barriers or facilitators to SDM and person-centered contraceptive care. We interviewed 16 clinicians at the 2022 AAP Annual Meeting who counsel adolescent patients about contraception. We used thematic content analysis to analyze interview transcripts using Dedoose. We identified six aspects of contraceptive counseling that clinicians commonly employed with adolescent patients. These were: (1) sociodemographic characteristics driving counseling, (2) reliance on tiered effectiveness counseling, (3) initiating counseling conversations using "ask then explain" or "explain then ask" approaches, (4) emphasis on teen pregnancy prevention, (5) the influence of method accessibility on counseling, and (6) parental involvement in decision-making and patient confidentiality. We describe how these themes align with or diverge from each component of the SDM framework. Clinicians in this study frequently engaged in non-patient-centered techniques during contraceptive counseling with adolescents. These findings can inform practice recommendations to support clinicians in providing high-quality contraceptive counseling using shared decision-making.

Births in the United States, 2023.

This report presents 2023 data on U.S. births compared with 2022 and 2021 for several key demographic and maternal and infant characteristics. Descriptive tabulations of data reported on the birth certificates of the 3.60 million births that occurred in 2023 are presented. Data are presented for the number of births, the general fertility rate, teenage birth rates, the distribution of births by trimester prenatal care began and the distribution of births by selected gestational age categories. Data for 2023 are compared with data for 2022 and 2021. A total of 3,596,017 births were registered in the United States in 2023, down 2% from 2022. The general fertility rate declined 3% in 2023 to 54.5 births per 1,000 females ages 15-44. Birth rates declined for females ages 15-19 (4%), 15-17 (2%), and 18-19 (5%), from 2022 to 2023. The percentage of mothers receiving prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy declined 1% to 76.1% in 2023 while the percentage of mothers with no prenatal care increased 5%. The preterm birth rate was essentially unchanged at 10.41% in 2023 but the rate of early term births rose 2%.

Addressing Teenage Pregnancy and Reproductive Health Among Latinx Adolescents and Young Adults

Despite a national decline in teenage pregnancy rates, Latinxs and Black individuals continue to have higher teenage birth rates compared to white teens. In the United States, Latinx females (ages 15-19) are more than twice as likely to have a teenage birth compared to non-Latinx white teens. With an increasingly diverse nation, a shift towards culturally inclusive approaches to care is critical to achieving equitable patient outcomes. Improving access to preventative care, workforce diversity, and insurance coverage will lead to cost-savings and also help restore trust in a system that has failed past generations. In this commentary, targeted recommendations tailored specifically towards Latinx women will be provided including culturally competent birth control counseling, and a focus on reproductive justice. Not speaking English, low socioeconomic status, acculturation, legal status, and being uninsured are all teenage pregnancy risk factors unique to Latinx women. Cultural preferences and attitudes towards contraception must also be considered. Further expansion of Medicaid insurance coverage is also necessary to increase reproductive access among vulnerable populations. A cultural humility framework to reproductive health counseling and services is recommended. Within this framework family engagement is encouraged and women are free from reproductive coercion; they have the freedom to access over-the-counter contraception and receive guidance and support from providers and community health workers who are cognizant of culture and heritage. An integrated community-based approach that is culturally sensitive and in tune with Latinx heterogenicity is necessary to lower teenage pregnancy rates and achieve reproductive justice.

X-raying educator-related factors hindering sexuality education implementation in rural South African schools: learners’ perspectives

BackgroundAlthough numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of well-implemented school-based sexuality education in promoting young people’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy among school-going adolescents in rural schools located in the King Cetshwayo District of South Africa suggests it fell short of its objectives of reducing learners’ vulnerability, enhancing decision-making abilities, and raising self-efficacy in these schools. This study focused on learners’ experiences with their schools’ sexuality education programs.MethodsThis was a qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study. Data was collected from 84 participants across nine schools in the study setting using focus group interviews. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework was followed to analyze the data.ResultsThe results of the study showed that educator-centered impediments to effective school-based sexuality education included attitudes, beliefs, age differences, health status, prior experiences, and personal discomfort. The results further indicated that these obstacles have a detrimental effect on the pedagogical effectiveness of sexuality education teachers in implementing the curriculum in the study setting and, consequently, on the sexual well-being of the learners.ConclusionBased on the study’s findings, pre-service sexuality education pedagogy training is recommended for student teachers, as well as ongoing in-service training and re-training interventions and support for sexuality education teachers, to address the identified barriers and improve their pedagogical efficacy.

Changes in First and Second Births to U.S. Teenagers From 2000 to 2022.

This study examines trends in the numbers, percentages, and rates of first and second and higher-order births to teenagers younger than age 20 and for those ages 15-17 and 18-19 by race and Hispanic origin. Data for this analysis are from the National Vital Statistics System birth data files from 2000 and 2022. Analyses are limited to births to females younger than age 20. Changes in the numbers, percentages, and rates of total, first, and second and higher-order teen births from 2000 to 2022 were calculated for all teenagers and for non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic teenagers. The number of first teen births declined 67% and the number of second and higher-order teen births declined 79%, while the population of female teenagers increased 7% from 2000 to 2022. The declines were greater for younger teenagers compared with older teenagers. First and second and higher-order teen birth rates declined 69% and 80%, respectively. Similar declines were found for each race and Hispanic-origin group. In 2000 and 2022, first and second and higher-order birth rates were lowest among White teenagers. First birth rates were highest among Hispanic teenagers in 2000 and for Hispanic and non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers in 2022. In 2000, second and higher-order birth rates were highest for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic teenagers; second and higher-order birth rates were more similar by race and Hispanic-origin group in 2022.

Abstinence beliefs in early adolescence and sexual risk behavior two years later.

The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate and sexually transmitted infection rates among developed countries. One common approach that has been implemented to reduce these rates is abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that advocate for delaying sexual intercourse until marriage. These programs focus on changing adolescents' beliefs toward abstinence until marriage; however, it is unclear whether adolescents' beliefs about abstinence predict their sexual behavior, including sexual risk behavior (SRB). An alternative approach may be encouraging youth to delay their sexual debut until they reach the age of maturity, but not necessarily until marriage. To address this question, we compare the longitudinal association between abstinence beliefs (i.e., abstaining completely until marriage) and beliefs about delayed sexual debut with subsequent SRB 24 months later. The harmonized data set included 4620 (58.2% female, Mage = 13.0, SDage = 0.93) participants from three randomized controlled trials attending 44 schools in the southern United States. Negative binomial regressions were employed to examine the association of abstinence until marriage beliefs and beliefs regarding delaying sex with SRB. We identified that beliefs supporting delaying sex until an age of maturity were associated with lower odds of engaging in SRB, such as having multiple sex partners and frequency of condomless sex, for both sexes. However, stronger abstinence beliefs had no significant associations with all SRB outcomes. Findings suggest prevention programming that focuses on encouraging youth to delay sex until an appropriate age of maturity may be more effective at preventing SRB and consequent negative sexual health outcomes.

Determinants of teenage pregnancy in Malawi: a community-based case-control study

BackgroundTeenage pregnancies are a global concern. Malawi is one of the countries with the highest teenage pregnancy rates despite government efforts to reverse the situation and yet studies on determinants of teenage pregnancy are rare with some factors remaining unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with teenage pregnancies in Malawi.MethodsThis was a community-based case-control study that used secondary data from the 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey from all 28 districts of Malawi. The study population comprised women aged 20–24 who participated in the survey. The study ran from September 2021 to October 2022 and used a sample size of 3,435 participants who were all women aged 20–24 in the dataset who met the inclusion criteria. Data were analysed using Stata 16 software. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors. Variables with a P value of < 0.1 in the univariable analysis were included in the multivariable analyses, where statistical significance was obtained at a P value < 0. 05.ResultsData on 3435 participants were analysed. In multivariable analyses: no teenage marriage (AOR 0.13); secondary education (AOR 0.26); higher education (AOR 0.39); richest category of wealth index (AOR 0.51), use of contraception (AOR 3.08), domestic violence by father or mother (AOR 0.37) were found to be significant factors.ConclusionThis study identified determinants of teenage pregnancy. The government has to sustain and expand initiatives that increase protection from teenage pregnancy, reinforce the implementation of amended marriage legislation, introduce policies to improve the socioeconomic status of vulnerable girls and increase contraceptive use among adolescent girls before their first pregnancy. Further research is also recommended to resolve inconclusive results.

Comprehensive sexuality education as a strategy to prevent teenage pregnancy in predominantly Indigenous communities of Chiapas, Mexico: context, scope and implementation feasibility

ABSTRACT Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) aims to prepare adolescents for safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives. The aim of this study was to assess the perspective of key informants regarding CSE content to prevent teenage pregnancy, as well as to identify implementation barriers in predominantly indigenous communities in Chiapas, Mexico. We conducted a descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore three different groups’ perceptions, opinions and experiences. Adhering to grounded theory principles, we performed an inductive analysis and identified categories of interest. A total of 45 key informants (16 school staff members, 15 health personnel and 14 community leaders) were interviewed. School staff members are primarily responsible for CSE. Among all the participants, we identified a lack of training and the presence of prejudices. The information provided to adolescents by the informants was diverse and at times, incomplete. There was limited parental involvement and even opposition to sharing CSE content. Deeply rooted customs and traditions within a patriarchal context posed a significant obstacle to the implementation of CSE in the studied communities. Gaining a deeper understanding of rural and Indigenous contexts can facilitate the identification of barriers and promote the design of targeted strategies to reduce obstacles to pregnancy prevention in vulnerable populations.

Teen pregnancy involvement among African, Caribbean and Black adolescent boys and girls: A scoping review

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the incidence, associated factors and interventions to address teen pregnancy involvement (TPI) among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) adolescents in North America.DesignWe conducted a scoping...

TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Factors Affecting Anemia among Women of Reproductive Age in Mexico: A Mixed-Methods Country Case Study

BackgroundIn Mexico, anemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (WRA) decreased from 16.4% in 2006 to 11.6% in 2012, only to increase to 18.3% in 2016. The factors associated with this fluctuation are uncertain. ObjectiveWe conducted a systematic in-depth assessment of the quantitative and qualitative determinants of anemia among WRA in Mexico between 2006 and 2018. MethodsUsing multivariate stepwise linear regression, we analyzed Mexico’s Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (ENSANUT) surveys from 2006, 2012, and 2018 to identify determinants of WRA anemia. We also conducted a review of anemia-relevant programs and policies, including financing documents, and conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders in Mexico. ResultsAmong non-pregnant women (NPW) 15-49 years, mean hemoglobin (Hb) increased from 13.8 g/dL in 2006 to 14.0 g/dL in 2012, decreasing to 13.2 g/dL in 2018 (p<0.001). Inequities by geographical region and household wealth persisted throughout this period, with household wealth, urban residence and gravidity emerging as significant predictors of Hb among NPW. Qualitative analyses generally supported these findings. The most discussed program was Progresa-Oportunidades-Prospera (POP), where most resources for health were invested and most participants acknowledged that its cancellation in 2019 would lead to worsening in health and nutrition among the poor. Financing analyses showed a drop of funding for nutrition-related programs between 2014 and 2018. Cultural norms around gender roles were still prevalent, along with increasing rates of teenage pregnancy. ConclusionsAnemia prevention efforts need to refocus on poverty alleviation, continuity of adequate coverage and financing of nutrition programs, especially with safety nets, and increase in uptake of family planning, especially among adolescent girls.