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Factors associated with unintended pregnancy
S P Williams1, M L Frank, A Ilegbodu
1HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Advances in Contraception : the Official Journal of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception
|December 24, 1997
Summary
Younger age, earlier sexual debut, and more partners are linked to unintended pregnancy. Higher self-efficacy and perceived negative consequences of early parenthood help prevent it.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Unintended pregnancy remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding its determinants is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors associated with unintended pregnancy among women in family planning settings.
- To differentiate characteristics of women who experienced unintended pregnancy versus those who avoided it.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 95 women attending family practice or family planning clinics.
- Participants categorized based on experiencing unintended pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Women with unintended pregnancies were younger, had earlier sexual debut, and more sexual partners.
- Preventing unintended pregnancy correlated with higher sexual self-efficacy, confidence in contraception, and perceived negative consequences of early childbearing.
Conclusions:
- Demographic and behavioral factors significantly influence unintended pregnancy risk.
- Psychosocial factors, including self-efficacy and perceived future consequences, play a protective role against unintended pregnancy.