Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancy among Women Receiving Antenatal Care Services: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana

Abstract

Globally, unintended pregnancy represents an important public health challenge with significant social, economic and clinical repercussions which are worse in low-income and middle-income countries. Appropriate use of modern contraceptives averts significant proportions of unintended pregnancies and pregnancy complications. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy and explore modern contraceptive use among pregnant women
 
 A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Ghana using a face-to-face structured interview. Descriptive analysis was performed and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of unintended pregnancy.
 
 Among the included 450 pregnant women receiving antenatal care, 155 (34.4%) had unintended pregnancy out of which 33 (21.3%) were using contraceptives prior to conception. In all, 14.2% (64/450) were using modern contraceptives. There was a significant difference between women and their partners regarding the perception of their index pregnancy as unintended (34.4% versus 31.6%, p-value <0.001). Significant determinants of unintended pregnancy include younger maternal age [aOR:5.706, 95%CI (1.860, 19.732)], unmarried status [aOR:5.238, 95%CI (2.882, 9.735)], previous childbirth [(aOR:2.376, 95%CI (1.460, 4.758], number of pregnancies ≥6 [aOR:2.640, 95%CI (1.210, 5.854)], number pregnancies ≤2 [aOR:0.417, 95%CI (0.252, 0.682)], previous caesarean birth [aOR:2.034, 95%CI (1.154, 3.306)] and contraceptive use prior to index pregnancy [aOR:2.305 95%CI (1.283-4.162)]. 
 
 The prevalence of unintended pregnancy remains markedly high while prior contraceptive use was relatively low among women receiving antenatal care. Evidence-based interventions including specialized client education are vital in improving optimal use of contraceptive services. We recommend further research including community-based qualitative studies to better understand the factors associated with contraceptive uptake and outcomes of unintended pregnancy.

Preferred mode of childbirth among women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary hospital in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

“…On daily basis, the antenatal clinic takes care about 120 pregnant and postnatal women. This secondary analysis was part of a larger study that determined the prevalence of unintended pregnancy among women receiving antenatal care 18 . The study involved a face-to-face interview of women attending antenatal clinics based on a structured questionnaire between 1 st June and 31 st July, 2013.…”

Determinants Of Unintended Pregnancy Among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At AIIMS Patna – A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Targeted interventions can contribute signi cantly to reducing unintended pregnancies and promoting the overall reproductive health and well-being of women. In a study in ghana, it was identi ed that only 28% of the couples use contraception among those 78.7% of women experiencing unintended pregnancies had never used contraceptives before their current pregnancies, highlighting a gap in the effectiveness of contraceptive methods (45). Conversely, our study revealed that, 28.7% of participants, were using contraceptives, out of which 61.9% of these participants had never used contraception before.…”

“…Conversely, our study revealed that, 28.7% of participants, were using contraceptives, out of which 61.9% of these participants had never used contraception before. The observed low prevalence of contraceptive use in our study could be attributed to various factors, such as couple doesn't know how to use, partnet did't want to use any contraception, a thought of occasional sex could't lead to pregnancy, not ready for pills or methods, newly married couples actively seeking conception, and concerns about potential side effects associated with contraceptive methods (45).…”