Adolescent Latino Reproductive Health: A Review of the Literature

• Published in: Hispanic journal of behavioral sciences Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 255 - 326
• Main Authors: Driscoll, Anne K., Biggs, M. Antonia, Brindis, Claire D., Yankah, Ekua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01-08-2001; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Acculturation; Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adolescents; Ethnic Groups; Family Influence; Geographic Distribution; Health; Health Behavior; Health Research; Hispanic Americans; Human immunodeficiency virus; Latin American Cultural Groups; Literature reviews; Minority Groups; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Sexual Reproduction; Social research; Socioeconomic Status; Teenagers
• ISSN: 0739-9863; 1552-6364
• DOI: 10.1177/0739986301233001

Latino adolescent reproductive health has become an increasingly important topic because of the growth in the numbers of Latino youth and because Latino youth are at high risk for negative reproductive health outcomes. Latinas now have the highest teen birth rates, and Latinos have disproportionately high rates of HIV/AIDS. These trends highlight the need for greater understanding of the sexual and reproductive health and behavior of Latino youth. This overview provides an introduction to key aspects of the Latino population. It then examines and synthesizes the existing literature by domains useful to the study of Latinos. Areas that receive in-depth coverage are socioeconomic status, family, national origin, peers and partners, and acculturation. Based on the current state of knowledge and the issues facing young Latinos, suggestions for future research and uses for existing data and past research are included.