Factors Influencing Decision-Making On The Outcome Of Unintended Pregnancy Among Married Women In Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Unintended pregnancy is a potential risk for women which could adversely affect

their health, family and society at large. In Nigeria, information on factors

influencing decision-making on unintended pregnancy among married women has not

been adequately explored. This study was designed to assess the factors that influence

decision making on unintended pregnancy among married women in Ibadan South-

West Local Government Area (IBSWLGA), Nigeria.

This study was exploratory and involved the use of qualitative methods. The study is

also phenomenological in design. Ten out of the 12 wards in the LGA were selected

through balloting for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) while the remaining two were

used for In-depth Interviews (IDIs). One community each was randomly selected

from each ward for the FGDs. Ten FGDs were conducted among purposively selected

women of child-bearing age who have had two children in the past five years. Four

IDIs (2 per ward) were conducted among women who had had unintended pregnancy.

FGD guide and IDI schedule containing questions on decision-making, spouses‘

reaction, induced abortion and use of contraceptives were used to collect data.

Responses were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Participants‘ ages ranged from 19-49 years with a mean age of 30.0 ± 5.63. Majority

(81.0%) were Yorubas with 53.6% being Muslims. Those who had secondary

education (60.7%) were in the majority, while traders constituted 61.9%. A large

proportion (71.2%) had been married for 5-20 years. Many of the FGD discussants

had experienced unintended pregnancies during the nursing period of a previous child.

Factors identified as influencing the decision to carry unintended pregnancy to term

included: spousal support, fear of complications, unsuccessful induced abortion and

desire to have more children. Decision to terminate pregnancy was influenced by lack

of spousal support, economic implication of caring for another child, fulfilment of the

number of children desired with preferred sexes and pregnancy complications. One

out of the four IDI participants terminated the pregnancy before term. Majority

reported misunderstanding between them and their spouses as a result of unintended

pregnancy. Majority stated that they and some of their neighbours who experienced

unintended pregnancy visited health centres for antenatal care. The IDI participants

were against the procurement of abortion while majority of the FGD discussants

v

indicated that abortion procurement was common in marriage. Majority were aware of

the different types of contraceptives and their effectiveness in the prevention of

unintended pregnancy but did not use any for fear of side effects.

Unintended pregnancy and non-utilisation of contraceptives were common among the

participants. Intervention focusing on the couple as a unit should be instituted to

improve spousal communication and uptake of family planning products thereby

reducing the occurrence of unintended pregnancy.

Keywords: Unintended pregnancy, Induced abortion, Contraceptives