Association between knowledge of contraception and unplanned pregnancy. A cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18597/rcog.21Keywords:
Unplanned pregnancy, family planningAbstract
Objective: To measure the association between the degree of knowledge on how to solve problems associated with the use of contraceptive methods and the presence of unplanned pregnancies in women using short-acting contraception; to determine the prevalence of unplanned pregnancies; and to describe attitudes, perceptions and characteristics in relation to family planning activities.
Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted in women between 14 and 49 years of age coming for a pregnancy test to a public, low-complexity healthcare institution in Medellín, Colombia, that provides care to
a population covered under a state-subsidized healthcare system. Before delivering the result of the pregnancy test they were given a structured survey and a test to measure their knowledge for solving situations that might affect the effectiveness of contraception methods under the woman’s control.
Results: Of the 471 women surveyed, 75.2 % were not planning to become pregnant and 57 % had an unplanned pregnancy. The median knowledge
level was 50% (p25: 37.5%, p75: 62.5%). The prevalence ratio of unplanned pregnancy with an intermediate or high level of knowledge was 0.56
(95% CI 0.34-0.92).
Conclusion: Knowledge about how to solve problems regarding contraceptive methods that depend for their effectiveness on the appropriate use by the woman is associated with a lower frequency of unplanned pregnancies.
Author Biographies
Sergio Augusto Cuervo-Vergara
Jesús David Garrido-Gutiérrez
Gladys Adriana Vélez-Álvarez
John Jairo Zuleta-Tobón
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