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  • Title: Factors related to planned and unplanned pregnancies.
    Author: Rosenfeld JA, Everett KD.
    Journal: J Fam Pract; 1996 Aug; 43(2):161-6. PubMed ID: 8708626.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Given the efficacy of most contraceptive options, it is of concern that most pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Besides reducing the woman's and family's preparedness for parenting, unplanned pregnancies are at higher risk for inadequate prenatal care, perinatal morbidity, and significant postnatal problems. Little is known about the factors responsible for the high rates of unplanned pregnancy. METHODS: One hundred ten pregnant women were surveyed to examine factors relating contraception to unplanned pregnancy. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of pregnancies were unplanned. There was a statistically significant association between having unplanned pregnancies and being single or divorced. Women who had planned their pregnancies tended to be more satisfied with contraceptives. In sexual encounters, women with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to use no contraception or to practice "withdrawal" or use condoms rather than hormonal contraception; to be influenced by their partner regarding birth control use; and to forget to use contraception. CONCLUSIONS: All women of childbearing age who are sexually active can benefit from planning pregnancies. Counseling that accesses a woman's expectations regarding birth control, followed by a careful explanation of the side effects of a contraception choice, may reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancy. Counselling the male partner or sexually active men in contraceptive options may be equally important. Understanding factors that result in satisfaction with contraception may reduce unplanned pregnancies. In the summers of 1994 and 1995 in northeastern Tennessee, 110 pregnant women 16-37 years old were interviewed either before or after their prenatal care appointment at an outpatient family practice clinic in Bristol. The researchers aimed to identify factors associated with planned and unplanned pregnancies. 39 (35%) women had planned their pregnancy while the remaining 71 (65%) women did not. Divorced or never married women were more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy than a planned pregnancy (47% vs. 19%; p 0.01). Women with an unplanned pregnancy were more likely to have been using contraception at time of conception than women with a planned pregnancy (23% vs. 3%). They were also more likely to use no contraception or to practice withdrawal before the index pregnancy than women with a planned pregnancy (31% vs. 13%; p 0.05). All the women in both groups had no problem with availability of their choice of family planning method. Women with an unplanned pregnancy were much more likely than those with a planned pregnancy to be influenced by their partner in terms of contraceptive choice (37% vs. 19%; p = 0.04). Women with a planned pregnancy were more likely to be satisfied or very satisfied with their contraception than those with an unplanned pregnancy (62% vs. 43%). The differences in satisfaction only approached statistical significance, however (p = 0.065). Based on these findings, the family practice researchers suggested that, in order to reduce unplanned pregnancies, clinicians should provide women counseling on their contraception expectations and a careful explanation of the side effects of their contraceptive choice. Male partners or sexually active men should also receive counseling about contraceptive options. Another important step is further research to better understand factors that contribute to satisfaction with contraception.
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