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Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancy in Mchinji District, Malawi; Using a Conceptual Hierarchy to Inform Analysis

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  • Jennifer Anne Hall
  • Geraldine Barrett
  • Tambosi Phiri
  • Andrew Copas
  • Address Malata
  • Judith Stephenson

Abstract

Background: In 2012 there were around 85 million unintended pregnancies globally. Unintended pregnancies unnecessarily expose women to the risks associated with pregnancy, unsafe abortion and childbirth, thereby contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity. Studies have identified a range of potential determinants of unplanned pregnancy but have used varying methodologies, measures of pregnancy intention and analysis techniques. Consequently there are many contradictions in their findings. Identifying women at risk of unplanned pregnancy is important as this information can be used to help with designing and targeting interventions and developing preventative policies. Methods: 4,244 pregnant women from Mchinji District, Malawi were interviewed at home between March and December 2013. They were asked about their pregnancy intention using the validated Chichewa version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy, as well as their socio-demographics and obstetric and psychiatric history. A conceptual hierarchical model of the determinants of pregnancy intention was developed and used to inform the analysis. Multiple random effects linear regression was used to explore the ways in which factors determine pregnancy intention leading to the identification of women at risk of unplanned pregnancies. Results: 44.4% of pregnancies were planned. On univariate analyses pregnancy intention was associated with mother and father’s age and education, marital status, number of live children, birth interval, socio-economic status, intimate partner violence and previous depression all at p

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Anne Hall & Geraldine Barrett & Tambosi Phiri & Andrew Copas & Address Malata & Judith Stephenson, 2016. "Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancy in Mchinji District, Malawi; Using a Conceptual Hierarchy to Inform Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0165621
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Canaan Negash Seifu & Paul Patrick Fahey & Tewodros Getachew Hailemariam & Evan Atlantis, 2020. "Association of husbands' education status with unintended pregnancy in their wives in southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Muluneh Alene & Leltework Yismaw & Yebelay Berelie & Bekalu Kassie & Reta Yeshambel & Moges Agazhe Assemie, 2020. "Prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Md Nuruzzaman Khan & Melissa L Harris & Deborah Loxton, 2020. "Assessing the effect of pregnancy intention at conception on the continuum of care in maternal healthcare services use in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, November.

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