Magnitude of unintended pregnancy and its determinants among childbearing age women in low and middle-income countries: evidence from 61 low and middle income countries

Abstract

BackgroundUnintended pregnancy is one of the most serious health issues in low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), posing significant health, economic, and psychosocial costs to individuals and communities. However, there is limited evidence on the prevalence of unintended pregnancies and their determinants in LMICs. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its associated factors among childbearing-age women in LMICs.MethodData for the study were drawn from a recent 61 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in LMICs. A total sample of 187,347 mothers who gave birth in the five years preceding the survey was included. STATA version 16 was used to clean and analyze the data. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify individual and community-level factors of unintended pregnancy in LMICs. In the multivariable analysis, an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence level was reported to indicate statistical association.ResultsThe pooled magnitude of unintended pregnancy in LMICs was 26.46%% (95% CI: 25.30%, 27.62%), ranging from 19.25%% in Egypt to 61.71% in Bolivia. Working status (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06), having a husband with no education (AOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.15), and primary education (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.11), women from male-headed households (AOR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.08), media exposure (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08), unmet need for contraception (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08), distance from a health facility (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.06) were significantly associated with unintended pregnancy.ConclusionUnintended pregnancy rates remain high in LMICs. Women whose husband has no education and primary education, women with media exposure, working status, women who live in a household headed by male, women with unmet need for contraception, and women with a big problem of distance to health facilities were variables that were significant predictors of unintended pregnancy. When attempting to minimize unintended pregnancy in LMICs, these factors need to be considered. Furthermore, most of these attempts should be driven by government entities in low and middle-income countries.

Effect of pregnancy intention at conception on the continuity of care in maternal healthcare services use in Somalia: Evidence from first national health and demographic survey

“…The association between CoC level and maternal pregnancy intention at conception for the index child was adjusted for various factors at the individual, household, and community levels. These factors were identified through a literature review and forward regression analysis (13,16,(19)(20)(21). Individual-level factors included the mother's age at childbirth, education level, employment status, decision-making autonomy, and parity.…”

“…The high prevalence of unintended pregnancy poses a significant concern for Somalia, similar to other LMICs (12,13). Recent estimates suggest that around 40% of pregnancies resulting in live births in Somalia are unintended at conception (1).…”

Preconception Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults to Prevent Adverse Maternal and Child Health Outcomes: Protocol for an Evidence Gap Map

“…Preconception health influences the reproductive, perinatal, and child health outcomes of women who are planning their pregnancy [1]. According to the United Nations Population Fund, nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unplanned [2,3]; thus, risk factors that can potentially lead to adverse perinatal, maternal, and child outcomes are identified and addressed in the initial prenatal appointment, which usually marks the midpoint of the critical first trimester [4].…”