The Outcome and Social Aspects of Unmarried Pregnancy at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Unmarried pregnancy is a major health and social problem in many developed as well as developing countries with many medical and psycho-social consequences. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional observational study done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India among 105 unmarried women selected by convenience sampling method. Results: The mean age of cases studied was 20.88 ± 2.92 years and 53.3% resided in rural areas. 49.5% had education up to high school level and 34.3% belonged to lower middle class and upper lower 39.0% socioeconomic status. Of the 105 cases studied, 42 had alcohol intake in their family and 23 cases experienced domestic violence. Lack of parental control was noted in 9 cases and 5 had separated parents. In 58 cases, neighbor was the biological father and close relative in 32 cases. About 57 women had a medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in 2nd trimester and 24 had MTP in 1st trimester. Among the remaining, 17 had full-term vaginal delivery, 6 had preterm vaginal delivery, and 1 case underwent lower segment cesarian section. Of these 24 babies, 3 died subsequently after birth, 9 were given to orphanage, and 12 were with their mother and biological father. Although 12 women married the biological father of the baby, 7 were taken to licensed home and 5 lived with their parents. Conclusions: Contraceptive awareness, family and emotional support along with sexual health education play a key role in preventing psychosocial burden of unmarried pregnancy on a women’s health.