While in 2012, the number of teenage pregnancies represented 19.4%, on 2017 this indicator went down to 14.7% , the lowest percentage ever registered in the country.

According to doctor Nineth Alarcón from the Comprehensive Care Program for Teens of the Social Security Service (C.C.S.S.) this is a very satisfactory achievement resulting from the efforts carried out to bring down the number of teenage pregnancies.

Professionals from Government institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Education, the Child Welfare Agency (PANI), the Joint Institute for Social Aid (IMAS), have joined efforts to work towards this goal in the population of young woman 19 an under.

Projects such as Mesoamerica, carried out in the Atlantic zone and South zone of the country, managed to make changes to the way this population is approached with the purpose of offering a friendlier attention to their needs. This methodology has now extended to other regions, including the Central Pacific, Huetar Norte (San Carlos) and Chorotega (Guanacaste); the cenral region of the country is still pending.

This strategy extended the schedule and offers more counseling alternatives and information for this population with the purpose not only of reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies but also preventing sexually transmitted diseases and abuses and promoting healthy sexual practices among those sexually active, in addition they promote communication, personal care, healthy habits, and education options.