| Summary: | Objetive: To identify biopsychosocial characteristics preceding the pregnancy in teenagers that went to see the doctor in two level one medical centers in Popayán. Method: Descriptive study, gathering and analysing qualitative and quantitative information. Results: 38 teenagers with an average age of 16.37 years at conception. 90% (34) were first-time mothers. 73% (28) were attending high school and 68% (26) were from a low socioeconomic background. 36.8% (14) were planning a future involving study and work. 46% (17) had dropped out from school. The young girls average age and of commencing sexual activities are 12.89 and 15.32 respectively. 71% 27) had a sexual partner and mentioned that the main reasons for getting pregnant were falling in love and loneliness. Dysfunctional families were a notable feature with 32% (12) coming from broken nuclear families. In order of frequency, social activities in their free time 22/38; 34.2% (13) spend time with their boyfriends. 55%( 21) did not use any contraceptive. 50% (19) heard negative comments against teenage motherhood before their pregnancy. 63% (24) did not plan to get pregnant. 71% 27) had their mother, cousins or a friend with a history of teenage pregnancy. Conclusions: In this population, pregnancy is perhaps a way to establish the sexual identity. It is probable that there is an influence of the repetitive generational pattern of pregnancy at an early age. Teenagers find it viable to adopt adult roles to establish their identity creating a false identity, in addition the limited support from their parents lead them to a marriage or pregnancy as a way to reaffirm their role.
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