Prevalence and triggering factors of unintended pregnancies among women in India: Evidence from Indian Demographic and Health Survey 2015–2016

Abstract

The primary focus of this study was to estimate the prevalence and assess the associated risk factors that impact unintended pregnancies among women who were married in India.Study design: This study utilized a cross sectional study design. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study on 32224 pregnant women that was extracted from the most recent Demographic and Health Study organized from 2015 to 2016 (round 7) in India. Facts and statistics were examined by utilizing different data analysis techniques, i.e., univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Nearly 11.9% of cases were unplanned pregnancies, out of which 7% were early pregnancies. The mistimed pregnancy for women aged 15-19 years was 7.896 (6.246, 9.981) times more likely than the women of age 30. The women living in urban areas were having 0.877 (0.778, 0.988) times fewer chances to have an early parturiency as compared to those living in rural areas. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 0.583 (0.524, 0.650) times less likely to have mistimed pregnancy than the women who got married at the age of 18 and over. Women with no children were 0.217 (0.176, 0.268) times less likely to have early pregnancy than women with more than three children. Conclusion: Factors that enhance the probability of unfavorable pregnancies are the age at first marriage, number of dead children, wealth status, fertility preference, and family planning knowledge. This survey suggests strengthening the strategies of family planning so that the ratio of unplanned pregnancies decreases.

Random Intercept Multilevel Modeling of Determinants of Unintended Pregnancies in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Consistent with a study in Tanzania [26] where higher odds of unintended pregnancy was recoded among adolescents than older women. This outcome is similar to findings of studies in India [27] and Ugandan [28]. This might simply be as a result of ignorance or limited in-depth knowledge about contraceptives use or birth control and knowledge on reproductive system on the part of adolescents.…”

“…Also, in our study women who are undecided or no more desire to have children tend to experience lower odds of unintended pregnancies than women who desire for children. Similar study in India confirmed that women who are undecided or no longer desire to have children tend to experience lower prevalence of unintended pregnancies than women who desire for children [37]. Economic and high cost of living could partly be the reason; Women who have already had two or more children may have reached their desired family size due to economic constraints [38].…”

Trend and Factors Associated With Unintended Pregnancy Among Currently Married Women in Nepal

“…The findings of this study show that multiple factors cause unintended pregnancy. Some key leading factors found were family planning, CEB, fertility preference, and wealth status, consistent with the study conducted by Islam et al (2022). Concerning the status of these factors, the Ministry of Health [Nepal] et al (2017) reported an increasing trend of age at first marriage and knowledge and use of family planning.…”

“…For this study, Independent variables have been selected based on some literature works (e.g., Connery et al, 2014;Islam et al, 2022;Kotchick et al, 2001;MacAfee et al, 2019). The independent variables were categorized into different factors based on the NDHS report (Ministry of Health [Nepal] et al, 2017), such as demographic (age of respondents, age at first cohabitation, and number of household members), socioeconomic (caste and ethnicity, educational status, wealth index, media exposed and types of residence), fertility and its preference, (age at first birth, children ever born, experience of terminated pregnancy, fertility preference and desired number of children) and unmet need of family planning.…”

“…Various studies (e.g., Adhikari et al, 2009;Calvert et al, 2013;Dhakal et al, 2016;Islam et al, 2022;Johnson et al, 2004;Kassahun et al, 2019;Potter et al, 2019;Sarder et al, 2021) showed that there were different socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with affecting the unintended pregnancy. Regarding this matter, research in Nepal has delved into various aspects of unintended pregnancy.…”