Prevalence and risk factors for female and male adolescents involved in pregnancy and abortion: a population-based cross-sectional study in Taiwan, 2006–2016

Aims: We estimated the rates and compared the risk factors for pregnancy and abortion between sexually active female and male adolescents with pregnant partner(s). Subject and methods: This nationally representative, anonymous, cross-sectional study analyzed the Taiwan Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS), 2006–2016, for grade 7–12 students from junior and senior high schools, comprehensive schools, vocational high schools, and night schools. We examined the association between covariates (i.e., demographics, sexual behaviors, substance use) and outcomes (i.e., pregnancy and abortion). Results: The rates of sexually active female and male adolescents involved in pregnancy were 17.63% (95% CI = 15.44–19.83%) and 15.91% (14.01–17.82%), respectively. The abortion rates among female and male adolescents involved in pregnancy were 78.79% (73.09–84.48%) and 66.19% (59.79–72.59%), respectively. Female and male adolescents involved in pregnancy were associated with similar risk factors (i.e., night schools, multiple sexual partner(s), early sexual debut, emergency contraceptive pills, and current cigarette smokers). However, males were further associated with contraception non-use. Among those involved in pregnancy, abortion was associated with multiple sexual partners and current cigarette smokers, but males involved in abortion were associated with the sexual debut at ≥ 14 years old and emergency contraception use. Conclusions: Most pregnant Taiwanese adolescents prefer abortion, unlike many Western countries. This study highlights the importance of involving male and female adolescents in preventing adolescent pregnancy and abortion.