Abstract:
Background: Unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is not wanted and/or not planned at the time of
conception. Illegal abortions and associated complications often follow unintended pregnancies and claim
the lives of many women in developing countries. Hence, this study is an attempt to assess the proportion
of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant women‟s living in Ambo town.
Objective: The study aims to assess the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and associated factors
among pregnant women in Ambo town, West Showa, Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 334 pregnant women in Ambo
town from September 15-30/2022. A multistage sampling technique was used to select pregnant mothers
from the sampling frame of selected kebeles. The collected data using a structured questionnaire were
checked for completeness, and consistency, coded, and entered into Epidata version 4.6 then exported to
SPSS version 23 software for analysis. Variables with a p-value <0.25 in the Binary logistic regression
were candidates for fitting multivariable logistic. In multivariable logistic regression variables with p value <0.05 with 95% CI and AOR were declared statistically significant determinants of unintended
pregnancy.
Results: In this study, from the total pregnancies, 102 (30.5%) were unintended pregnancies, of which
19.5% were mistimed and 11% were unwanted pregnancies. Not in relationship (AOR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.38,
10.048), parity 1-2, 3-5, and parity above 5 (AOR= 2.42, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.42, AOR=2.91 95% CI: 1.14,
7.41 and AOR=6.46, 95% CI: 1.33, 31.38) respectively, having monthly income 3200-10200birr($65-
206) (AOR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.54), lack autonomy on money they earn (AOR=4.1, 95% CI: 2.04,
8.29), having no spousal communication on family planning services (AOR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.54)
and not having own living house (AOR= 1.96,95% CI: 1.11, 3.48) were significantly associated with
unintended pregnancy
Conclusion and Recommendation: This study indicated that nearly about one-third of their current
pregnancy was found to be unintended pregnancy. Parity of 1-2, 3-5, and, parity above 5, not in
relationship, having monthly income 3200-10200($65-206), lack of autonomy on income management,
having no spousal communication on family planning services, and not having own living house showed
a significant association with unintended pregnancy. All interested bodies should take into account the
identified factors for intervention in order to reduce the current rate of unintended pregnancies. In
particular, the Ambo Town Health Office and healthcare professionals should educate the community
about spousal communication on family planning services and income management and give them the
power to make informed decisions within the study area.
