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The Measurement and Meaning of Unintended Pregnancy

Authors :
John S. Santelli
Brenda Colley Gilbert
Kathryn M. Curtis
Roger W. Rochat
Kendra Hatfield-Timajchy
Laura A. Schieve
Jennifer S. Hirsch
Rebecca Cabral
Source :
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 35:94-101
Publication Year :
2003
Publisher :
Guttmacher Institute, 2003.

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy combines two aspects of fertility: unwanted and mistimed pregnancies. The personal partnership social and political realities of these two aspects are different and the use of separate categories may better reflect the way women think about a pregnancy. A better understanding of the multiple dimensions of unintended pregnancy also may lead to a better understanding of the consequences of these pregnancies. Likewise better knowledge of the extent of mistiming and perhaps the strength of intentions may be important in understanding health impact. Effective programs to prevent unintended pregnancy must use terms that are familiar to women and must build upon cultural understanding of the problem to be prevented. Research should focus on the meaning of pregnancy intentions to women and the processes women and their partners use in making fertility decisions. It should prospectively address the impact of pregnancy intentions on contraceptive use. Both qualitative and quantitative research have contributed to our understanding of fertility decisionmaking; both will be essential to the creation of more effective prevention programs. (excerpt)

Details

ISSN :
19312393 and 15386341
Volume :
35
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e364986fe1af88aa26d540ba50d64c83
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1363/3509403