Prevalence and Determinants of Unintended Pregnancies among pregnant women in Western Uganda: A Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction Unintended pregnancies are among the most troubling health problems and a major reproductive health issue in low income countries, imposing appreciable socio-economic burden on individuals and society. To determine the prevalence and assess determinants of unintended pregnancies among pregnant women obtaining Antenatal Care services at a tertiary hospital in Western Uganda. Methods From November 2, 2022 to February 5, 2023, we conducted a cross sectional analytical study among pregnant women who had come to receive antenatal care services at a tertiary health care setting. A simple random sampling technique was implemented to select participants of this study. Data obtained was cleaned, coded and analyzed using SPSSv23 to obtain the prevalence and correlates of unintended pregnancies among pregnant women. Results We enrolled 376 pregnant women to participate in this study. Majority of the participants 239(63.56%) were below 28 years of age and 114 (30.32%) had four or more pregnancies, whereas 115(30.59%) had a family size of at least six individuals. The study found out that the prevalence of unintended pregnancy was high at 192 (51%). Pregnant women had significantly greater odds of having unintended pregnancies if they were > 35 years (aOR = 85.9; 95%CI [2.63-2814.31], P = 0.012); had a large family size (aOR = 0.0.27, 95%CI [0.08–0.91], P = 0.035); never used family planning (aOR = 1.02; 95%CI [0.29–1.25], P = 0.026); and had ever experienced side effects of family planning methods used (aOR = 0.025; 95%CI [0.0009-0.68], P = 0.029). Having a higher parity (aOR = 0.02; 95%CI [0.005–0.108], P = 0.000) and having an intention to conceive again (aOR = 0.26; 95%CI [0.13–0.56], P = 0.058) were also significantly associated with unintended pregnancies. Conclusion The prevalence of unintended pregnancy is high and which puts women at risk of poor maternal and child health outcomes. Programs to promote family planning accessibility especially long-term methods for women who have attained their desired family sizes.