Unwanted pregnancy
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Unwanted Pregnancy: A Global Public Health Concern
Prevalence of Unwanted Pregnancy
Unwanted Pregnancy in Iran
Unwanted pregnancies are a significant public health issue in Iran, with multiple studies indicating a high prevalence. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 articles found that 27.9% of pregnancies in Iranian women were unwanted. Another meta-analysis, which included 20 studies, reported a similar prevalence rate of 26%. A broader meta-analysis encompassing 49 studies estimated the prevalence at 30.6%, highlighting that a substantial portion of these pregnancies occurred despite the use of contraceptives. These findings underscore the need for effective public health strategies to address this issue.
Unwanted Pregnancy in Brazil
In Brazil, unintended pregnancies are also prevalent, affecting more than half of the women who gave birth. A cross-sectional study involving 23,894 women revealed that 55.4% of pregnancies were unintended, with significant associations found between unintended pregnancies and various sociodemographic factors such as younger maternal age, lack of a partner, and higher parity. These findings suggest that targeted interventions addressing these risk factors could help reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies in Brazil.
Unwanted Pregnancy in Kenya
In Kenya, unwanted pregnancies are influenced by socio-cultural norms and economic factors. A study involving 80 women in Nairobi found that unwanted pregnancies often occurred in contexts that did not align with socially sanctioned notions of motherhood and proper procreation. Factors such as poor access to family planning services, female poverty, and restrictive abortion policies contribute to the persistence of unwanted pregnancies in the country.
Health Outcomes Associated with Unwanted Pregnancy
Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth
Unintended pregnancies are associated with adverse health outcomes for both the mother and the child. A systematic review found that unintended pregnancies significantly increased the odds of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). Specifically, unwanted pregnancies were associated with a 51% increase in the odds of LBW and a 50% increase in the odds of PTB. These findings highlight the importance of addressing unintended pregnancies to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Healthcare Utilization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), unwanted pregnancies are linked to reduced maternal healthcare utilization. A study using data from 48 Demographic Health Surveys found that mothers of children from unwanted pregnancies were 3.6% less likely to attend four or more antenatal care visits compared to those with wanted pregnancies. However, the study did not find significant impacts on supervised delivery, childhood vaccination uptake, or child health indicators such as stunting, underweight, and wasting. This suggests that while unwanted pregnancies may affect some aspects of healthcare utilization, other factors play a more critical role in determining overall health outcomes.
Socio-Demographic Factors and Unwanted Pregnancy
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Racial and ethnic disparities also play a role in the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies. Research indicates that Black and Latina women are more likely to report unwanted pregnancies compared to White women. Interestingly, among sexual-minority women, these trends are reversed, with White sexual-minority women more likely to report unwanted pregnancies than their Black and Latina counterparts. These findings suggest that interventions to reduce unwanted pregnancies need to consider the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Conclusion
Unwanted pregnancies remain a significant public health issue globally, with high prevalence rates reported in countries like Iran, Brazil, and Kenya. These pregnancies are associated with adverse health outcomes such as low birth weight and preterm birth and can lead to reduced maternal healthcare utilization in LMICs. Addressing the socio-demographic factors and improving access to family planning services are crucial steps in reducing the incidence of unwanted pregnancies and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Prevalence of unwanted pregnancy in Iranian women: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Prevalence of unwanted pregnancy among Iranian women: an updated meta-analysis
Intention to Become Pregnant and Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review
Factors associated with unintended pregnancy in Brazil: cross-sectional results from the Birth in Brazil National Survey, 2011/2012
Prevalence of unwanted pregnancy in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Gender scripts and unwanted pregnancy among urban Kenyan women
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Unwanted Pregnancy: Moderation by Sexual Orientation.
Does unwanted pregnancy lead to adverse health and healthcare utilization for mother and child? Evidence from low- and middle-income countries
Unintended and unwanted pregnancy in Australia: a cross‐sectional, national random telephone survey of prevalence and outcomes
Unwanted pregnancy. (Letter to the editor)
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