Factors affecting women s decision about unplanned pregnancy

Background: One of the major challenges facing women of reproductive age is unplanned pregnancy and the decision to abort or continue is an important challenge and it is necessary to consider factors related to abortion or unplanned pregnancy.Methodology: This is a prospective study with sequential sampling of 230 (80 and 150 women with abortion and prolonged pregnancy respectively) women with unplanned pregnancy referred to health complexes and centers, and obstetrics and midwifery offices in Tabriz, Iran, in the year 96. Data were collected through interviewing and completing demographic questionnaires, perceived threats, perceived support, and perceived values and beliefs. Data were analyzed using t-test and logistic regression.Results: According to the results, the mean score of perceived threats (40.02-5.5), perceived support (23.09-2.8) and beliefs and values (18.12-3.2) were significantly higher in the abortion group compared to the continuation group (19-3.3, 21.04-3.05 and 11.2-4.3; P<0.001). The results of the hierarchical modeling strategy showed that the perceived threats of the continuation of pregnancy had the greatest predictive power for the decision to abort ( 1.12; 95 &,: 1.08-1.17; P<0.001).Conclusion: The results showed that women s decision about the outcome of their unplanned pregnancy is potentially affected by three groups of factors, including perceived threats, perceived support and beliefs and values. This finding suggests the need for planning and implementing counseling interventions based on the said factors, and especially the identification of perceived threats and providing appropriate strategies to remove these threats in women having to make such critical decision in their life.Message for policymakers: This study is expected to inform policymakers of the health status and challenges of women of reproductive age who are an important and significant part of society and also that unwanted pregnancy is a major health problem. Counselors are taking approach through enhancing life skills, making decisions and solving challenging issues in women s lives by establishing counseling centers or designing care packages and providing specialized care services along with adopting the supportive policies needed by women. Findings with unwanted pregnancies do not help to reduce the burden of this issue and its consequences Come.

Factors affecting women s decision about unplanned pregnancy Keywords:

Unplanned pregnancy , abortion , continuation of pregnancy