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Unintended Pregnancy in a Commercially Insured Population

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Abstract

Objectives: While much attention has been focused on unintended pregnancy in disadvantaged populations, few studies have focused on women in lower risk groups. This study, conducted in a national managed care organization, reports the prevalence of unintended pregnancy resulting in live births and examines associated factors. Methods: Women ages 18–49 who delivered a live infant during a 6-month interval were eligible for the study. Telephone surveys were conducted after delivery. We report the rate of unintended pregnancy resulting in a live birth, and describe its association with sociodemographic and pregnancy-related factors, partner's intention status, and contraceptive use. Results: Of 1173 births, 29% were unintended. Women who reported that the partner did not want the pregnancy were 7.4 times more likely than women whose partner wanted the pregnancy to regard the pregnancy as unintended. Only 40% of the women with an unintended birth used birth control and 64% of those used less effective methods such as condoms and diaphragms. Conclusions: In a population where the majority of women were married, educated, and with incomes over $40,000, almost 1/3 of the births resulted from unintended pregnancies. Future research is needed to help us better understand contradictions in pregnancy intention and contraceptive behavior. Comprehensive efforts are needed to promote consistent and correct use of contraception by women at risk for unintended pregnancy, and to involve male partners in family planning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Policy and Management, Emory Center on Health Outcomes and Quality (formerly the USQA Center for Health Care ResearchTM), Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

    Diane C. Green & Julie A. Gazmararian

  2. USQA Center for Health Care ResearchTM, Atlanta, Georgia

    Lisa D. Mahoney & Nancy A. Davis

  3. Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, The Center for Health Studies, Seattle, Washington

    Lisa D. Mahoney

  4. Pharmacy Management Department, Aetna U.S. Healthcare®, USA

    Nancy A. Davis

Authors
  1. Diane C. Green
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  2. Julie A. Gazmararian
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  3. Lisa D. Mahoney
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  4. Nancy A. Davis
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Green, D.C., Gazmararian, J.A., Mahoney, L.D. et al. Unintended Pregnancy in a Commercially Insured Population. Matern Child Health J 6, 181–187 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019778129435

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019778129435

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