Magnitude of unwanted pregnancy and associated factors among young female students of Mettu University

Abstract

Introduction: Unwanted pregnancy poses a major and continuing social and health challenge in Africa, accounting for more than a quarter of the 40 million pregnancies that occur annually in the region.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and its associated factors among young female students of Mettu University, 2017.
Methods: An institution based cross sectional descriptive study design was used. A stratified sampling procedure and self administered questionnaire was employed on 840 female students. Data were entered, cleaned and then analyzed using Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models.
Result: A total of 840 female students responded to the questionnaire adequately making the response rate of 99.1%. Ever hearing about family planning, watching pornography and attending night club were identified to be significantly associated with unwanted pregnancy. Unwanted pregnancy was lower among those who ever heard about family planning, compared to those who didn’t hear about family planning [AOR(95%CI)= 0.015(0.005,0.18)]. Those who were watching pornography were 4.75 times more likely to have unwanted pregnancy as compared to those who were not watching pornography [AOR (95%CI) = 4.75(1.12,20.16)]. Those who attended night club were 7.7 times more likely to be exposed for unwanted pregnancy as compared to those who didn’t attended [AOR(95%CI)= 7.70(2.45,25.12)].
Conclusion and recommendation: The overall prevalence of unwanted pregnancy among those who ever had sexual intercourse was 8.5%. Ever hearing about family planning, watching pornographic materials and attending night club were independent predictors of unwanted pregnancy Thus, Mettu University HIV/AIDS prevention and control office and other stakeholders are recommended to promote extensively family planning utilization to avoid unwanted pregnancies.