Abstract:

Abstract The aim of this paper is to compare the reproductive history of three generations of women residents in Plaza de la Revolución municipality (the municipality with lowest fertility in Cuba) and to describe, in the youngest generation, the attitudes related with pregnancy, contraception and induced abortion. The generation one (grandmothers) is integrated by 10 women and second and third generations are their daughters and granddaughters. The reproductive histories of grandmothers and their daughters were selected from databases of previous researches. The condition for select granddaughters was that they had more than 15 years old. The same questionnaire was used for three generations. In addition, the granddaughters were interviewed for knowing their opinions about other elements of their reproductive history. The reproductive history of three generations was characterized by early ages of menarche, beginning of the sexual relationships and first pregnancy. The pregnancy in adolescence was high, with more fertility in these ages in grandmothers and higher use of induced abortion in daughters and granddaughters, despite the young ages of the last ones. The youngest generation disapproves pregnancy and do not agree with have children in adolescence. They have knowledge about contraception and the health risk of induced abortion; however, they perceive it and use it as a way to control their fertility.

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