Importancia de la educación sexual integral como estrategia para reducir el embarazo precoz en adolescentes.

Adolescent pregnancy is a serious public health issue due to its impact on the holistic development of young people; it hinders educational progress, economic opportunities, and mental well-being. In Ecuador, approximately 32,200 births to adolescents are recorded annually. Objective: To evaluate the impact of comprehensive sex education on reducing adolescent pregnancy, while considering the social, cultural, and institutional factors that constrain its implementation. Methods: A non-experimental documentary research approach was employed, based on a systematic review of studies published in scientific databases between 2022 and 2026; forty-two studies were selected according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Sex education increases knowledge and alters sexual behaviors; however, its effectiveness depends heavily on family communication, teacher training, and the availability of reproductive health services, while a lack of resources and cultural norms affect implementation. Conclusions: Comprehensive sex education is effective in curbing adolescent pregnancy, but scaling it up requires long-term, consistent actions, medium-term planning and monitoring, and integration with measures to promote economic and gender equality—particularly in rural areas, where available data are scarce.