According to the president of the Dominican Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dr. Alejandro Paradas, 50% of Dominican teenagers start having sex before their 15th birthday. This results in an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and abortions. The director of the Dominican Institute of Social Security (IDSS) said that 40% of the maternity consultations made are with teenagers 12-15 years old. The Ministry of Education supports more sex education in public schools.
