Prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and multivariate analysis of its correlates in Tabriz city, 2004

ABSTRACT

Despite relatively easy access to contraceptive, the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy is high. The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of unwanted pregnancies and related factors among mothers delivering at 6 hospitals in Tabriz. In this cross-sectional study, 1576 women attended to 6 hospitals for delivery or abortion in September 2004 in Tabriz were interviewed. The questionnaire surveyed demographic characteristics, fertility history, contraceptive use, and willingness to pregnancy. The data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression using SPSS and EPI software. Totally, 414[26.7%] women had unwanted pregnancy. Higher age [OR=1.06], higher number of live children [OR=1.37], and having history of unwanted pregnancy [OR=4.34] were associated with unwanted pregnancy. Unwanted pregnancy is quite common in the region, thus, appropriate policies should be considered to eliminate this maternal health concern