Abstract:
Of an estimated 210 million pregnancies that occur in the world each year, 38% are unplanned, out of which 22% end in
abortion. In Ethiopia, the estimates of unintended pregnancy indicate that it is one of the major reproductive health
problems with all its adverse outcomes. Women risk their lives in by seeking illegal abortions following unintended
pregnancies. Thus, this study aims to determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among
pregnant married women residing in Hossana, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study involving both
qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was carried out in Hossana from April 02 to 15, 2011. 385 pregnant
married women randomly selected from the census were included for the quantitative data and took in-depth interviews for
the qualitative. Descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Out of
the total pregnancies, 131 (34%) were unintended and 254 (66%) were reported to be intended. A history of previous
unintended pregnancy, the husband not wanting to limit family size, a desire for at least two children, the number of
pregnancy 3–4 and parity of 5 and above were factors significantly associated with unintended pregnancy. With over one
third of pregnancies unintended, having a previous unintended pregnancy, the number of previous pregnancies, and
husbands’ disagreement over family size, and the desired number of children are factors that reproductive health programs
should aim to focus on to reduce unintended pregnancy.
