Correlates of unintended pregnancy in Beheira governorate, Egypt

East Mediterr Health J. 2002 Jul-Sep;8(4-5):521-36.

Abstract

This study looked at the frequency and determinants of unplanned births among women in Beheira governorate, Egypt, and the effects on antenatal and postnatal care sought by the mother for herself and her child. Unintended births comprised 23.6%; 13.8% were unwanted and 9.8% were mistimed. Contraceptive failure accounted for 28.8% of unintended pregnancies; 47.1% of women who reported unintended pregnancy were not using [corrected] contraception. Age, education and parity were predictors of unwanted pregnancy. Contraceptive use and maternal employment status predicted mistimed pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy was a barrier to antenatal care, but not to child care. Our findings suggest that family planning programmes should help women of reproductive age achieve spacing and fertility limits.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Contraception Behavior
  • Educational Status
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data
  • Family Characteristics
  • Family Planning Services / organization & administration
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Maternal Age
  • Middle Aged
  • Mothers* / education
  • Mothers* / psychology
  • Mothers* / statistics & numerical data
  • Needs Assessment
  • Parity
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Postnatal Care / organization & administration
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Unplanned* / physiology
  • Pregnancy, Unplanned* / psychology
  • Pregnancy, Unwanted* / physiology
  • Pregnancy, Unwanted* / psychology
  • Prenatal Care / organization & administration
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires