As of the second week of October, the province of Sancti Spíritus has reported 236 pregnancies among girls under 18, pushing the teenage pregnancy rate to 15.8%, according to the Maternal and Child Health Program (PAMI) statistics published by the official newspaper Escambray.
Vilma Torres Valdivia, an advisor for the PAMI department within the local health directorate, informed the Cuban News Agency that this figure marks a 3.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
The municipalities of Taguasco, Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus, La Sierpe, and Jatibonico exhibit the highest incidence rates, with the latter two exceeding the provincial average, as highlighted by Escambray.
Underlying Challenges and Consequences
"Each statistic represents a young girl facing significant physical, emotional, and social changes, often without adequate preparation," the publication warned.
Early motherhood disrupts education, limits personal aspirations, and elevates health risks for both mother and child, in addition to fostering economic dependency and family vulnerability.
Contributing Factors
Key factors perpetuating the issue include inadequate information, poor household communication, and a shortage of contraceptives, which are described as "extremely scarce" in the report.
Since at least 2020, the scarcity of condoms has worsened the adolescent pregnancy crisis in Cuba, making protection a luxury reliant on the informal market or family financial means.
National and Regional Context
This issue is not confined to Sancti Spíritus. Nationwide, the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) acknowledged that 18.2% of pregnant women in Cuba in 2025 were teenagers. Deputy Minister Julio Guerra Izquierdo noted a mere one percentage point decrease between 2024 and 2025.
In Las Tunas, teenage pregnancy surged to 19% in the first half of 2026, despite official campaigns, marking a three-point increase from the previous period.
Data from the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory indicate that 64.5% of teenage pregnancies in Cuba involve adult men. Grisell Rodríguez, representing the United Nations Population Fund in Cuba, describes this pattern as "an expression of gender violence," noting that 99% of these pregnancies are unintended.
Efforts and Challenges in Policy Implementation
In May, Minsap issued Resolution 174/2025, mandating the reporting of each pregnancy in minors and ensuring access to at least three contraceptive methods. However, the statistics from the second half of the year in Sancti Spíritus and other provinces show that this measure has not reversed the trend.
Escambray stressed the need for prevention campaigns to move beyond broad messages and reach neighborhoods, educational centers, and homes, calling for prioritized attention to the most affected municipalities.
"The teenage pregnancy rate in the province is a warning signal for society, the young women, and those around them," it emphasized.
Understanding Teenage Pregnancy in Cuba
What is the current teenage pregnancy rate in Sancti Spíritus?
The teenage pregnancy rate in Sancti Spíritus is currently 15.8%.
What factors contribute to high teenage pregnancy rates in Cuba?
Contributing factors include lack of adequate information, limited communication at home, and scarce access to contraceptives.
How has the shortage of contraceptives impacted teenage pregnancy rates?
The shortage has exacerbated the issue, making protection reliant on the informal market or family financial capability.