Unintended pregnancy and family planning use among antenatal attendees in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

Document Type

Article

Department

Population Health (East Africa)

Abstract

Background: Unintended pregnancy is a major driver of poor maternal and child health in resource‐limited settings where maternity care is poor. Data on pregnancy intention and use of family planning (FP) is scarce in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Aim: This study assesses prevalence and predictors of unintended pregnancy and FP use among pregnant women in East New Britain province in order to inform public health strategies to improve FP accessibility and uptake.

Methods: Data from a facility‐based cross‐sectional sample of 700 pregnant women was collected using structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate analyses tested predictors of unintended pregnancy and reported lifetime use of modern FP methods.

Results: More than half (383/699; 55%) of participating women reported their pregnancy as unintended. Few (122/691; 18%) women reported ever having used a modern method of FP. In multivariate analysis being single, separated or divorced (AOR 10.09 CI3.42‐29.80), being educated to a tertiary or vocational level (AOR 1.70 CI1.11‐2.61), being accompanied by a male partner to ANC (0.46 CI0.29‐0.71) and increasing parity (AOR 1.54 CI1.36‐1.74) were associated with unintended pregnancy. Compared with receiving care at Vunapope urban hospital, women recruited from Paparatava rural health centre (AOR 0.18 CI0.07‐0.46) or Kerevat rural hospital (AOR 2.69 CI1.51‐4.78), having a male partner express interest in attending ANC (AOR 2.23 CI1.37‐3.63) and increasing parity (AOR 1.54 CI1.36‐1.74) were associated with reporting modern FP use.

Conclusion: Very high prevalence of unintended pregnancy and low FP use, and findings of important factors relating to both, highlights an urgent need for interventions to improve FP uptake and access to services.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Internal Medicine Journal

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