Unintended pregnancy in Dakahisa governorate, Egypt

ABSTRACT

This study covered 805 married women to measure the frequency and predictors of unintended pregnancy and couple agreement among pregnant women attending for antenatal care at governmental primary health care facilities in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. There is a strong agreement [92.3%] between couples regarding pregnancy intention status. Unintended pregnancies, as reported by mothers, accounted for 29.6% [95% CI =26.5-32.8], These unintended pregnancies includes 19.5% mistimed and 10.1% unwanted. Contraceptive failure accounted for 17.6%, 27.6% and 20.9% of mistimed, unwanted and total unintended pregnancies among family planning users, respectively. logistic regression analysis indicated factors that independently raised the likelihood of unintended pregnancy these are having children of both or either sex, family planning method failure, working mothers and large family size. High gravidity and low family income were associated with higher risk of unwanted pregnancy. In contrast variables that significantly lowered the probability include urban residence. On the other hand, longer pregnancy spacing decreased the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Family planning program should identify women at risk of unintended pregnancy and help them to achieve either adequate pregnancy spacing or fertility termination. To prevent unintended pregnancy, programs must understand and account for the characteristics of the couples at risk. Causes of method failure should be identified to choose the most effective method for each couple