Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Unintended Pregnancy among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Thyolo District, Malawi

Abstract

Background: Unintended pregnancies remain a public health problem. Unintended pregnancies continue to be a leading predisposing factor to the high total fertility rate, high maternal and child health morbidity and mortality. Unintended pregnancies lead to unsafe abortion and poor health-seeking behavior, especially among young and poor women. Knowledge of associated factors can help to design and implement appropriate interventions. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with unintended pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at Thyolo District Hospital in Malawi. Methodology: It was a quantitative cross-sectional study. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with 396 women using a questionnaire. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit study participants. STATA version 13 package was used for univariate descriptive statistics, and logistic regression for bivariate and multivariate data analysis. Results: Slightly over half (54%) of women attending the antenatal clinic at Thyolo District Hospital had an unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy was more likely to be reported among women of less than 20 years, education below secondary school level, marriage before 20 years, and polygamous relationships. In addition, families relying on farming alone other than employment or business were more likely to have an unintended pregnancy. Primgravidity and having no living child were also significantly associated with unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: Prevalence of unintended pregnancy is a health burden in Thyolo. Strategies to keep the girl child in school and delay marriage could address this challenge. Increasing access to effective contraceptive methods for the youth could mitigate the problem.