Riesgos sociales vinculados al embarazo adolescente en el Colegio de Bachillerato ¨Abdón Calderón Muñoz¨ parroquia Palmales – cantón Arenillas 2024

Abstract

Adolescent pregnancy is a social problem that directly affects physical, emotional and educational well-being, especially when it occurs in contexts with limited information. This study focuses on the characterization and approach to this problem that occurs in the “Abdón Calderón Muñoz” High School, located in the Palmales parish of the Arenillas canton, where a percentage of 0.81% of pregnancy cases in students has been identified, which causes concern about school dropout, abandonment of life project and social vulnerability. The general objective of this research is to diagnose the social risks linked to teenage pregnancy in the educational institution, and from this, it will be carried out through the implementation of appropriate techniques and instruments, with the purpose of generating awareness and promoting preventive measures among students. To achieve this general objective, specific objectives have been formulated that include the identification of the social factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy; the analysis of the intervention protocols implemented to address this problem; evaluating their effectiveness through interviews with teachers and surveys of students; and the proposal of educational and awareness strategies aimed at the educational community, in order to promote greater awareness of the consequences of teenage pregnancy or early pregnancy. In terms of methodology, the study applies a descriptive type of research, which focuses on providing a detailed and accurate representation of a phenomenon, identifying its essential characteristics without delving into underlying causes. The research uses a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection to obtain an overview by applying surveys to a representative sample of 78 students from first to third year of General Unified High School, complemented by interviews with teaching staff and the Student Counseling Department (DECE), which allowed a broad and deep understanding of the phenomenon. The results of the diagnosis recognize that this reality is not an isolated fact, but a manifestation of multiple social, cultural and educational inequalities that affect adolescents, especially in contexts where misinformation, taboos and the absence of spaces for dialogue on sexual and reproductive rights prevail. Faced with this problem, the proposal "Conscious Youth" is designed and implemented, a social intervention plan led by students of Social Work, whose purpose is to strengthen knowledge about sexuality, affective relationships, sexual and reproductive rights, through the implementation of dynamic workshops, film forums and participatory activities. The impacts of the intervention are visible in the strengthening of self-esteem, the development of socioemotional skills and a greater understanding of sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the proposal promotes the strengthening of the bond between students, teachers and families, contributing to build protective and supportive environments. It is concluded that the role of the Social Work professional is key in processes of social transformation, by promoting comprehensive, inclusive and rights-based interventions, based on the realities of the territory and the voices of the adolescents themselves. This experience demonstrates that, by articulating participatory methodologies and critical theoretical approaches, it is possible to have an effective impact on the prevention of teenage pregnancy, favoring safer, more equitable and conscious educational environments.