Unintended pregnancy and induced abortion in a town with accessible family planning services: The case of Harar in eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Introduction: It is a universally accepted fact that unintended pregnancy and births could have negative consequences
for women, children, families and societies at large.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Harrar town in southeast Ethiopia where family planning services
are relatively easily accessible. The study was carried out in nine kebeles (smallest administrative units), selected from
three woredas (districts). A multistage sampling technique was used to select females in the reproductive age group
15-49 years for interview. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
Results: A total of 983 females aged 15-49 years were interviewed out of whom, 225 (33.3%) sexually active women
reported that their most recent pregnancies were unintended. The prevalence of unintended childbirth among sexually
active women constituted about 14.3% of the total while induced abortion was found to be 14.4 %. In multivariate
analysis, teenagers (OR 4.2 95% CI 1.4,10, 5), those married at the age of less than 20 years (OR 2.1 95%CI 1.9, 4.7),
and currently unmarried (OR 1.7 95% CI 1.2, 2.5) had a higher chance of experiencing unwanted pregnancy. Literate
women were found to have a significantly higher chance of having induced abortion (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4, 6.4).
Conclusion: Unintended pregnancy was found to be a major reproductive health problem in the study area showing
the high unmet need for family planning and thus deserves priority attention. Expanding access to family planning
without regard for the provision of effective IEC, counseling and quality care may not have the expected benefits in
this context. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2006;20(2):79-83]