OBJECTIVE: To assess pregnancy intention and the associated risks among young pregnant women. METHODS: In a descriptive study, pregnant women aged 15-24 years were recruited at a prenatal clinic in Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand, between March 1, 2012, and February 28, 2013. Participants were interviewed by trained interviewers using a standardized questionnaire to elicit information about baseline characteristics, pregnancy intention, and contraception practice. RESULTS: Overall, 250 participants were recruited (mean age 20.7±2.4 years), and 163 (65.2%) declared that the pregnancy was unintended. The odds of the pregnancy being unintended were increased in students (P=0.006), women aged 20 years or younger (P=0.024), and women whose partner was a similar age (P=0.026). A higher percentage of women with unintended pregnancy than with intended pregnancy reported having no time to use contraception, a perceived difficulty of regular contraceptive use, fear of parents finding out about sexual activity, and embarrassment about using contraception. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy among young pregnant women in Thailand was often unintended. Educational status, age, and age difference between the couple were independently associated with unintended pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE: To assess pregnancy intention and the associated risks among young pregnant women. METHODS: In a descriptive study, pregnant women aged 15-24 years were recruited at a prenatal clinic in Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand, between March 1, 2012, and February 28, 2013. Participants were interviewed by trained interviewers using a standardized questionnaire to elicit information about baseline characteristics, pregnancy intention, and contraception practice. RESULTS: Overall, 250 participants were recruited (mean age 20.7±2.4 years), and 163 (65.2%) declared that the pregnancy was unintended. The odds of the pregnancy being unintended were increased in students (P=0.006), women aged 20 years or younger (P=0.024), and women whose partner was a similar age (P=0.026). A higher percentage of women with unintended pregnancy than with intended pregnancy reported having no time to use contraception, a perceived difficulty of regular contraceptive use, fear of parents finding out about sexual activity, and embarrassment about using contraception. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy among young pregnant women in Thailand was often unintended. Educational status, age, and age difference between the couple were independently associated with unintended pregnancy.