Prevalence of Unplanned Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Mothers Attending Antenatal Care at Hawassa City Public Hospitals, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Unplanned pregnancy is a core concept that is used to better understand the fertility of populations and the unmet need for contraception (birth control) and family planning. Unplanned pregnancy mainly results from not using contraception, or inconsistent or incorrect use of effective contraceptive methods. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with unplanned pregnancy among clients attending ANC clinic in Hawassa city public hospitals, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 362 mothers attending ANC in Hawassa city public hospitals. Purposive sampling technique was used to select health facilities. Data were collected through interviewer administered technique using Pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were checked for completeness, consistency, coded and entered in to SPSS version 20 software and analyzed. The association between variables were analyzed using binary logistic regression models and the level of significance of association were determined at P-value<0.05. Result: The prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was 33.7%. Age, education, occupation, marital status and ever use family planning were significantly associated with unplanned pregnancy. Odds of unplanned pregnancy among illiterate was 4.6 times more likely than unplanned pregnancy compared diploma and above. The odd of unplanned pregnancy was higher by 40 times among others as compared with planned pregnancy of unemployed. Conclusion and Recommendation: The findings of the study showed that the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy is still higher in the community. There is an apparent need to design strategies of communication within couples on fertility and contraceptive issues through peer education and promote family planning methods.