Unwanted pregnancy in Indonesia: prevalence and decision making

Abstract

Background/Aims Young women in Indonesia who experience an unwanted pregnancy may not have the necessary support to make an informed decision about whether to continue with or terminate the pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine factors that influence the decision to terminate or continue with an unwanted pregnancy among women aged 15–24 years old in Indonesia. Methods Data from the 2017 Indonesian demographic and health survey were used. These data included 9218 women aged 15–24 years from eight regions in Indonesia. Chi-squared tests and binary and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Results Almost 20% of women in Indonesia decided to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, and 25% experienced physical partner violence. Respondents who lived in Sulawesi, had primary education, lived in a rural area or had experienced physical partner violence were more likely terminate an unwanted pregnancy. Respondents who had a higher economic status were less likely terminate. Conclusions The decision to terminate a pregnancy may be more likely to be made by women under certain circumstances. Programmes for pregnant women involving counselling should be initiated via cross-collaboration with government, parents and healthcare workers, to provide support for decision making in the case of an unwanted pregnancy.