Search

This study estimates the contribution of second and higher-order births to the adolescent fertility rate in Mexico from 2006 to 2014. We used data from nationally representative surveys for 2006, 2009, and 2014 to estimate the adolescent fertility rate, and the first, second, and higher-order birth components for the triennium prior to each survey at the national and state level. Our results showed that the second and higher-order component was 16.3 births per 1,000 women in 2003-05, 14.9 in 2006-08, and 16.9 in 2011-13. Second and higher-order births represented 25.9 percent of all teen births in 2003-05, 21.6 percent in 2006-08, and 21.9 percent in 2011-13. Second and higher-order births were heterogeneous across states. We found that second and higher-order births are highly prevalent and important contributors to the adolescent fertility rate. Postponing second and higher-order births would benefit both mothers and children. Monitoring them provides crucial information on the demand of targeted health system strategies that address the reproductive health needs of adolescent mothers. Interventions to prevent second and higher-order pregnancies must be developed and implemented., (© 2019 The Population Council, Inc.)

This article presents findings from three opinion surveys conducted among representative samples of Mexico City residents: the first one immediately prior to the groundbreaking legalization of first-trimester abortion in April 2007, and one and two years after the reform. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess changes in opinion concerning abortion and correlates of favorable opinion following reform. In 2009 a clear majority (74 percent) of respondents were in support of the Mexico City law allowing for elective first-trimester abortion, compared with 63 percent in 2008 and 38 percent in 2007. A significant increase in support for extending the law to the rest of Mexico was found: from 51 percent in 2007 to 70 percent in 2008 and 83 percent in 2009. In 2008 the significant independent correlates of support for the Mexico City law were education, infrequent religious service attendance, sex (being male), and political party affiliation; in 2009 they were education beyond high school, infrequent religious service attendance, and ever having been married.