Unintended pregnancy: magnitude and correlates in six urban sites in Senegal

Abstract

BackgroundIn Senegal, unintended pregnancy has become a growing concern in public health circles. It has often been described through the press as a sensational subject with emphasis on the multiple infanticide cases as a main consequence, especially among young unmarried girls. Less scientific evidence is known on this topic, as fertility issues are rarely discussed within couples. In a context where urbanization is strong, economic insecurity is persistent and the population is globalizing, it is important to assess the magnitude of unintended pregnancy among urban women and to identify its main determinants.MethodsData were collected in 2011 from a representative sample of 9614 women aged 15–49 years in six urban sites in Senegal. For this analysis, we include 5769 women who have ever been pregnant or were pregnant at the time of the survey. These women were asked if their last pregnancy in the last two years was ‘wanted ’then’, ‘wanted later’ or ‘not wanted’. Pregnancy was considered as unintended if the woman responded ‘wanted later’ or ‘not wanted’. Descriptive analyses were performed to measure the magnitude of unintended pregnancies, while multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of unintended pregnancy. The analyses were performed using Stata version 12. All results were weighted.ResultsThe results show that 14.3% of ever pregnant women reported having a recent unintended pregnancy. The study demonstrates important distinctions between women whose last pregnancy was intended and those whose last pregnancy was unintended. Indeed, this last group is more likely to be poor, from a young age (< 25 years) and multiparous. In addition, it appears that low participation of married women in decision-making within the couple (management of financial resources) and the lack of discussion on family planning issues are associated with greater experience of unintended pregnancy.ConclusionThis study suggests a need to implement more targeted programs that guarantee access to family planning for all women in need. In urban areas that are characterized by economic insecurity, as in Senegal, it is important to consider strategies for promoting communication within couples on fertility issues.

The Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancies Among Women in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria

“…The relationship between education and pregnancy intention has been inconsistent from previous studies (Mutumbi, 2013;Palamuleni & Adebowale, 2014;Ikamari et al, 2013;Habte, Teklu, Melese, & Magafu, 2013;Izugbara, 2014;Geda & Lako, 2011;Faye et al, 2013;Goto, Yasumura, Reich, & Fukao, 2002;Geelheod, Nayembil, Asare, van Leeuwen, & van Roomalen, 2002;Kassa, Berhane, & Worku, 2012). However, our study showed that the level of education was a significant determinant of pregnancy intention.…”

“…The prevalence of unintended pregnancy varies from place to place depending on people's sexual behaviour and contraceptive acceptance and use. In sub-Saharan Africa, unintended pregnancy accounted for about 39% of the 49 million pregnancies that occurred in 2008 (Faye et al, 2013). In Nigeria about one in three women of reproductive age had experienced an unplanned pregnancy (Sudhinaraset, 2008).…”

Prevalence of Unplanned Pregnancy and Factor Among Pregnant Women, Ethiopia 2018 GC

“…In this study unplanned pregnancy was 29.9% among the study participants. This findings is in agreements with the findings from other studies in Ethiopia [36] and Kenya [18] but it is lower than the other studies that were conducted in Jimma 35% [37] and Hosana 34% [19], this might be due to the increased availability and accessibility of maternal health services, including access to modern family planning with time. More over this finding were much lower than the findings of studies conducted in Tanzania 45.9% [38] and Nepal 41.1% [35].…”

Examining trends in family planning among harder-to-reach women in Senegal 1992–2014

“…These findings echo high levels of unintended pregnancies found in urban Senegal, higher among poorer women36, and indicate that there are still substantial barriers to contraceptive use that need to be addressed. The stagnation in unmet need observed among harder-to-reach women does not necessarily indicate a lack of progress in these groups: in a context of rising percent demand satisfied, this lack of change rather reflects parallel increases in MCPR and in the total demand for FP (defined as the sum of contraceptive use and unmet need).…”