Prevalence and risk factors of unintended pregnancy among undergraduate female students at Hawassa university: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy poses a serious challenge for female undergraduate students in developing countries. This study decisively assesses the prevalence and contributing factors of unintended pregnancy among students at Hawassa University (HU), aiming to inform effective psychosocial intervention strategies. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2022, collecting data through self-administered and structured questionnaires. The study included 351 participants, yielding a response rate of 95.12%. The analysis revealed a prevalence of unintended pregnancies at 43.6%. Findings from the multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that urban respondents were nearly twice as likely to experience an unintended pregnancy compared to their rural counterparts, with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 1.94 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: [1.15, 3.27], p < 0.05). Additionally, participants receiving financial support from friends were six times more likely to encounter unintended pregnancies than those who did not, as demonstrated by an AOR of 6.07 (95% CI: [1.69, 21.81], p < 0.05). Furthermore, individuals who did not engage in unplanned sexual intercourse were 71% less likely to experience an unintended pregnancy, with an AOR of 0.16 (95% CI: [0.06, 0.42], p < 0.05). The high rate of unintended pregnancies in the study area highlights the urgent need for effective measures to address this issue. Additionally, it is crucial to enhance the implementation of youth-friendly services at the university. The university should also collaborate with psychology professionals to provide life skills training.