Unintended pregnancy risk in an emergency department population

To assess unintended pregnancy risk and associated factors among female urban Baltimore emergency department (ED) attendees.

A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire study was completed by 790 women, sufficient to detect a 5% difference of unintended pregnancy risk in the national population and a 10% intersite difference with 80% power. The results were analyzed with chi-square tests, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Female ED attendees are at greater risk for unintended pregnancy (33.5%), particularly those of lower income (p=.006) and without a primary care provider (p=.003). Unintended pregnancy risk did not vary between sites by any variable except young age despite the fact that sites varied significantly by race, insurance and income measures.

Women using the ED are at increased risk for unintended pregnancy and are less likely to have access to a regular medical care source; thus, the ED represents a possible contraceptive provision site.