Factors associated with unintended pregnancy among women attending a public health facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  • Firoza Haffejee Durban University of Technology
  • Laura O'Connor Durban University of Technology
  • Nalini Govender Durban University of Technology
  • Poovendhree Reddy Durban University of Technology
  • Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya Durban University of Technology
  • Shanaz Ghuman Durban University of Technology
  • Thembelihle Ngxongo Durban University of Technology
  • Dorinda Borg Durban University of Technology
Keywords: pregnancy, public sector health care, South Africa, unintended pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Across the globe a large proportion of pregnancies have been reported as unintended. There are no available reports from South Africa concerning the prevalence of unintended pregnancies. This study explored the prevalence of unintended pregnancies among South African women attending a public primary health care (PHC) clinic in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. It also investigated the relationship between demographic factors, contraceptive use, substance abuse and unintended pregnancy in this setting. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients (n = 328) attending a PHC clinic. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling. Women who attended the clinic on their first antenatal visit were invited to participate. Participants filled out questionnaires in either English or isiZulu. Association between pregnancy and categorical variables was assessed. Results: Participants were mostly single (89.9%; n = 267), unemployed (70.8%; n = 222) with a monthly income of less than R 1 500 per month (63.8%; n = 81). Two-thirds of the women (64.33%; n = 211) had unintended pregnancies. There was a significant relationship between marital status and unintended pregnancy. Women who were married or living with their partners were more likely to have planned their pregnancies as compared with those who were single or divorced. Unemployed women were more likely to have had unintended pregnancies. No other socio-demographic factors were linked to unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: It is concluded that in this population of South African women with low education levels and low income, the prevalence of unintended pregnancies is high. These unintended pregnancies are linked to single status as well as unemployment. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2018; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1396790

Author Biographies

Firoza Haffejee, Durban University of Technology
Department of Basic Medical Sciences Durban University of Technology Durban
Laura O'Connor, Durban University of Technology
Department of Chiropractic and Somatology Durban University of Technology Durban
Nalini Govender, Durban University of Technology
Department of Basic Medical Sciences Durban University of Technology Durban
Poovendhree Reddy, Durban University of Technology
Department of Community Health Studies Durban University of Technology Durban
Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya, Durban University of Technology
Faculty of Health Sciences Durban University of Technology Durban
Shanaz Ghuman, Durban University of Technology
Department of Community Health Studies Durban University of Technology Durban
Thembelihle Ngxongo, Durban University of Technology
Department of Nursing Durban University of Technology Durban
Dorinda Borg, Durban University of Technology
Department of Chiropractic and Somatology Durban University of Technology Durban
Issue
Vol 60 No 3: May/June 2018
Section
Research Articles
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