Increase in fertility rate before the age of 14 in Brazil from 1996 to 2018

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess live birth frequency and age-specific fertility rates (ASFR) in the period 1996-2018 and the number of pregnancies at <14 years old in the period 2012-2018. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted by search on Live Births Data System (SINASC/DATASUS) database. RESULTS: There was a variation in ASFR in Brazil of 0.78%o in 1996 to 0.87%o in 2018 (+11.5%). In the north region, it increased from 1.28%o to 1.66%o in 2018. In the northeast region, it increased from 0.72%o to 1.66%o (+131%) in 1996-2011, but decreased to 1.31%o in 2018 (-21% in relation to 2011). When comparing 1996 and 2018, in the southeast region, there was a 22% decrease; in the south region, it was 48.2%; and in the Center-West region, it was 34%; but in the north region, there was a 29.7% increase, and in the northeast region, it was 81.9%. When adding girls who became pregnant aged 13 years and gave birth at 14, there was a threefold increase in the rate. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of pregnancies in <14 years old in less developed regions of Brazil shows an association with socioeconomic factors and reveals the severe problem of rape of vulnerable persons in the country.

Automated summary

The age-specific fertility rates in Brazil showed variations between 1996 and 2018, with significant increases in the North and Northeast regions. However, there was a decrease in the Northeast region after 2011. The number of pregnancies in girls under 14 years old increased threefold when adding those who gave birth at 14.