Prevalence Of Unintended Pregnancies and Associated Factors Amongst Women Attending the Antenatal Clinics of Primary Health Care Centers In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Unintended pregnancy can have a significant negative impact on women's well-being and infant health, often leading to increased anxiety and stress. Objective: This survey aimed to determine the frequency of unintended pregnancies and identify the connection between socio-demographic factors and pregnancy intentions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 345 pregnant women attending four primary healthcare centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The survey delved into the participants' pregnancy intentions, their emotional responses upon learning about the pregnancy, and the factors influencing their decision to conceive. Statistical analyses, including the chi-square test, were utilized to assess the relationship between socio-demographic variables and outcomes such as pregnancy intentions and desired family size. Results: The survey revealed that 49.8% of the pregnancies were unintended, and 59.5% of the women had previously used a family planning method. Notably, 16.0% reported becoming pregnant due to a failure of their chosen family planning method. The study identified that women with only primary school education were more likely to have unintended pregnancies (p=0.04), as were those who were unaware of their ovulation days (p=0.04). Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant proportion of unplanned pregnancies. Healthcare authorities must develop comprehensive family planning and reproductive health awareness programs to emphasize the importance of birth control.