Beyond counting intended pregnancies among young women to understanding their associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nIn this article we report the prevalence and determinants of intended or wanted pregnancies among young women 15-24\xa0y of age in selected sub-Saharan African countries.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThis cross-sectional study used pooled data from current Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019 in 29 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The sample size comprised 14\xa0257 young women (15-24\xa0y of age). Multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to present the results as adjusted odds ratios.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe prevalence of intended pregnancies was 67.7%, with the highest and lowest prevalence in Gambia (89.9%) and Namibia (37.7%), respectively. Intended pregnancy was lower among young women who had knowledge of modern contraceptives, those with a secondary/higher education and those with four or more births. Lower odds of intended pregnancy were observed among young women in the richer wealth quintile and those who lived in southern Africa.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nTo reduce intended pregnancies in sub-Saharan African countries such as Gambia, Burkina Faso and Nigeria, there is a need for government and non-governmental organisations to recalibrate current and past interventions such as investment in increasing formal education for women and poverty alleviation programmes, as well as augmenting job creation, including skill-building. These interventions have to be sensitive to the cultural realities of each setting, especially with regards to early marriages and womanhood.