Projects per year
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Mistimed, unexpected or unwanted pregnancies occur in Australia, despite widespread contraception use. The objective was to estimate prevalence and ascertain modifiable social factors for prevention of unintended pregnancy.
METHODS:
National population-based survey of women and men aged 18-51 years recruited from a random sample of electors on the Australian Electoral Roll in 2013. Data were weighted to reduce non-response bias. Factors associated with unintended pregnancy were identified in multivariable analyses.
RESULTS:
Data from 2,235 completed questionnaires were analysed (Women: 69%; Men: 31%). Of those ever pregnant or partner in pregnancy (59%), 40% had experienced an unintended pregnancy. Adjusting for other risks, ever having experienced sexual coercion (AOR, 95%CI=Women 1.948; 1.458-2.601; Men 1.657, 1.014-2.708); socioeconomic disadvantage (AOR, 95%CI=Women 1.808, 1.373, 2.381; Men 1.360, 1.004-1.841), living in a rural area (AOR, 95%CI=Women 1.403, 1.056-1.864; Men 1.583, 1.161-2.159), and for men being born overseas (AOR, 95%CI 1.989, 1.317-3.002) were significantly associated with unintended pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Experiences of sexual coercion, social disadvantage, rural residence and overseas birth are independently associated with unintended pregnancy in Australia.
IMPLICATIONS:
Public health policy and health service initiatives should prioritise prevention of sexual coercion, reduction of social inequality and reduction of geographic inequality for those in rural areas.
Mistimed, unexpected or unwanted pregnancies occur in Australia, despite widespread contraception use. The objective was to estimate prevalence and ascertain modifiable social factors for prevention of unintended pregnancy.
METHODS:
National population-based survey of women and men aged 18-51 years recruited from a random sample of electors on the Australian Electoral Roll in 2013. Data were weighted to reduce non-response bias. Factors associated with unintended pregnancy were identified in multivariable analyses.
RESULTS:
Data from 2,235 completed questionnaires were analysed (Women: 69%; Men: 31%). Of those ever pregnant or partner in pregnancy (59%), 40% had experienced an unintended pregnancy. Adjusting for other risks, ever having experienced sexual coercion (AOR, 95%CI=Women 1.948; 1.458-2.601; Men 1.657, 1.014-2.708); socioeconomic disadvantage (AOR, 95%CI=Women 1.808, 1.373, 2.381; Men 1.360, 1.004-1.841), living in a rural area (AOR, 95%CI=Women 1.403, 1.056-1.864; Men 1.583, 1.161-2.159), and for men being born overseas (AOR, 95%CI 1.989, 1.317-3.002) were significantly associated with unintended pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Experiences of sexual coercion, social disadvantage, rural residence and overseas birth are independently associated with unintended pregnancy in Australia.
IMPLICATIONS:
Public health policy and health service initiatives should prioritise prevention of sexual coercion, reduction of social inequality and reduction of geographic inequality for those in rural areas.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 104-109 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- unintended pregnancy
- Australia
- prevention
Access to Document
Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Understanding fertility management in contemporary Australia
Fisher, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Rowe, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), McNamee, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bayly, C. M. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Jordan, L. (Partner Investigator (PI)), McBain, J. C. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Sinnott, V. (Partner Investigator (PI))
Australian Research Council (ARC), Department of Health (DH) (Victoria), Family Planning Victoria Inc, Royal Women's Hospital (Victoria), Trustee for The Heptarchy Trust (trading as Melbourne IVF)
1/12/11 → 31/05/15
Project: Research