title: Reducing unintended pregnancy in young, single active duty women in an overseas environment.
abstract: Unintended pregnancies in the United States negatively impact families, communities, and society as a whole. In the military, the ramifications can encroach upon mission accomplishment. In operational and overseas environments, the consequences are amplified. U.S. Naval Hospital, Sigonella, Italy became involved in a multidisciplinary effort (Choices) to reduce unplanned pregnancies. A retrospective analysis of 173 unmarried active duty women (< 27 years old) revealed that those who did not attend Choices were three times more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy. A bivariate correlation was used to test the relationship. The correlations between attendance at Choices and unplanned pregnancies was, r = -0.327, p = 0.000. A chi2 test revealed the difference in the frequency of unplanned pregnancies between those who attended Choices and those who did not with chi2 (1) = 17.86, p < 0.001 was systematic and real. This multidisciplinary approach shows promise in reducing unplanned pregnancies, thus ensuring readiness and mission accomplishment.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Hospital, Sigonella, Italy, PSC 836, Box 2670, FPO AE 09636.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Staren-Doby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States