Study of Prevalence and Some Correlative Factors with Unwanted Pregnancies

Unwanted pregnancy is a worldwide problem that affects women, their families and society, and the essential aim of family planning is to prevent women from unwanted pregnancies.

This cross-sectional study was performed for determining prevalence rate of unwanted pregnancy and some correlative factors in urban areas of Guilan.

500 pregnant women in urban Health Centers for prenatal care were selected by cluster sampling. Data were collected with questionnaire consisting of 29 closed questions.

Analysis of the information showed that 27.4% of pregnancies were unwanted. There was a significant relation between unwanted pregnancy and the variants: age of mother (p<0.002), number of children (p<0.0001), and mother's educational level (p<0.014). Tendency to abortion among pregnant women with unwanted pregnancy was 58.8%. 17% of mothers with previous pregnancy had unwanted pregnancy and 41% of them had abortion. There was a significant relation between going to Health Center during pregnancy (regular or irregular) and unwanted pregnancy (P<0.015). In this study, 70.8% of unwanted pregnancies were as a result of contraceptive failures and 29.9% of them were due to non-use of contraceptives.

The results of this study emphasize the necessity for more care on quality aspects of family planning services and specific attention on counseling.