Abstract
Background: Mississippi has the highest rate of unintended pregnancy in the nation. Accessibility, availability, and affordability of women’s health services and effective contraceptive methods are key in preventing unintended pregnancies. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with history of unintended pregnancy among parous women of childbearing age in Mississippi in order to improve understanding of these relationships and to fill a gap in literature about the state. Methods: Through a multi-stage, probability sample, mothers of students in childcare facilities were selected to participate in a survey about health care and contraceptive use. Chi-square tests of independence were used to detect associations between history of unintended pregnancy and other factors. Results: Significant associations were found between history of unintended pregnancy and race, employment status, household income, current receipt of public assistance, age at first birth, payer for women’s health services/birth control, impact of insurance/expenses on birth control, one locus of control item, and length of gestation of firstborn. Conclusion: The women most at risk of an unintended pregnancy in our sample were those who were currently experiencing socioeconomic inequities. Policymakers should strive to address such inequities in order to reduce the unintended pregnancy rate in Mississippi.
Recommended Citation
McLeod, S. T.,
Bradwell, M.,
Zhang, L.,
Ismail, O. H.,
Blackwell, E.,
Funchess, T.,
&
Kolbo, J. R.
(2023). Factors Associated with History of Unintended Pregnancy Among Mothers in Mississippi.
Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, 1(2), 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2996-6833.1057