The Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancies Among Women in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Unintended pregnancy is a major social and public health problem affecting women within the reproductive age group. It jeopardizes women’s sexual and reproductive health and may pose a threat to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3. Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy in Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was used for a cross-sectional survey of antenatal clinic attendees at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki from January 2015 to March 2015. A total of 185 questionnaires were correctly filled and analyzed using 2008 Epi Info version statistical software (Atlanta Georgia, USA). RESULTS: Out of the 185 antenatal clinic attendees, 43.8% (81/185) reported having had an unintended pregnancy at some point in their lives. The age at marriage, level of education, place of residence, sex education and use of contraception were significant determinants of unintended pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of unintended pregnancy in this study was high. Its determinants include educational status, use of contraception, age at marriage and place of residence.