Revista de Gravidez e Saúde Infantil

Abstrato

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Unintended Pregnancy in Welkaite Woreda, Tigray and North Ethiopia Cross Sectional Study by 2012

Haftamu Abayu, Zelalem Birhanu, Ansha Nega and Abadi Kidanemariam

Background: Of an estimated 210 million pregnancies that occur in the world each year, 38% are unplanned, out of which 22% end in abortion. In Ethiopia, the estimates of unintended pregnancy indicate that it is one of the major reproductive health problems with all its adverse outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its associated factors among pregnant women in Welkaite district, Tigray region, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: Acommunity based cross sectional study was conducted from 24/09/2012 to 18/10/2012 among pregnant women. The study includes 626 pregnant women found in Welkaite district selected from the study population using cluster sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Adjusted Odds Ratio was used to assess the strength of association and declare significance of the associations.

Results: Unintended pregnancy was reported by 26% (166/626) of the study subjects. Out of which, 75.9% were mistimed and 24.1% were unwanted pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy was associated with ante natal visit (AOR=3.434;95%CI:2.136,5.520), awareness of contraceptive (AOR=2.830;95% CI: 1.527,5.244)., husband communication about pregnancy (AOR=2. 245; 95% CI: 1.430,3.524) , awareness of the concept of unintended pregnancy is preventable (AOR=2. 563 ; 95% CI: 1.580,4.158).

Conclusions: In this study prevalence was high, and,women’s decision to follow antenatal care, and antenatal care visit, ever heard contraceptive communication with husband were strong predictors of unintended pregnancy.

Recommendation: Women’s need to be, strength, communication with husband about pregnancy, antenatal care follow up, and women’s information, education; communication programs and improvements in counseling about contraceptive is recommended to decrease unintended pregnancy