title: Predictors of mistimed, and unwanted pregnancies among women of childbearing age in Rufiji, Kilombero, and Ulanga districts of Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While unintended pregnancies pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of families globally, characteristics of Tanzanian women who conceive unintentionally are rarely documented. This analysis identifies factors associated with unintended pregnancies-both mistimed and unwanted-in three rural districts of Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 2,183 random households was conducted in three Tanzanian districts of Rufiji, Kilombero, and Ulanga in 2011 to assess women's health behavior and service utilization patterns. These households produced 3,127 women age 15+ years from which 2,199 gravid women aged 15-49 were selected for the current analysis. Unintended pregnancies were identified as either mistimed (wanted later) or unwanted (not wanted at all). Correlates of mistimed, and unwanted pregnancies were identified through Chi-squared tests to assess associations and multinomial logistic regression for multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the participants was 32.1 years. While 54.1% of the participants reported that their most recent pregnancy was intended, 32.5% indicated their most recent pregnancy as mistimed and 13.4% as unwanted. Multivariate analysis revealed that young age (<20 years), and single marital status were significant predictors of both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies. Lack of inter-partner communication about family planning increased the risk of mistimed pregnancy significantly, and multi-gravidity was shown to significantly increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  About one half of women in Rufiji, Kilombero, and Ulanga districts of Tanzania conceive unintentionally. Women, especially the most vulnerable should be empowered to avoid pregnancy at their own will and discretion.
authors.affiliation: Ifakara Health Institute, Plot 463, Kiko Avenue, Mikocheni, P,O Box 78373, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. aexavery@ihi.or.tz.
authors.forename: Amon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Exavery
authors.forename: Almamy Malick
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kanté
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Njozi
authors.forename: Kassimu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Henry V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Doctor
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hingora
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D013636:Tanzania; D014930:Women; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: AIDS. 2007 Sep 12;21(14):1943-55
references.pmid: 17721102
references.citation: Soc Sci Med. 1991;32(3):241-7
references.pmid: 2024133
references.citation: J Nurse Midwifery. 1998 Nov-Dec;43(6):483-91
references.pmid: 9871381
references.citation: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Dec 13;12:152
references.pmid: 23237623
references.citation: Soc Sci Med. 2000 Oct;51(7):1011-8
references.pmid: 11005389
references.citation: Health Place. 2001 Sep;7(3):197-208
references.pmid: 11439255
references.citation: Int Fam Plan Perspect. 2006 Dec;32(4):175-84
references.pmid: 17237014
references.citation: BMC Health Serv Res. 2013;13 Suppl 2:S6
references.pmid: 23819587
references.citation: BMC Public Health. 2012 Dec 20;12:1097
references.pmid: 23256530
references.citation: Stud Fam Plann. 2010 Dec;41(4):241-50
references.pmid: 21465725
references.citation: Fam Plann Perspect. 1998 Mar-Apr;30(2):79-88
references.pmid: 9561873
references.citation: J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2013 Oct;39(4):e2
references.pmid: 23902713
references.citation: Am J Epidemiol. 1997 May 1;145(9):810-6
references.pmid: 9143211
references.citation: Soc Sci Med. 2000 Aug;51(4):551-61
references.pmid: 10868670
references.citation: Asia Pac J Public Health. 2012 May;24(3):506-21
references.pmid: 21659331
references.citation: Stud Fam Plann. 1991 May-Jun;22(3):188-97
references.pmid: 1949101
references.citation: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013 Feb 06;13:35
references.pmid: 23388110
references.citation: Soc Sci Med. 2007 May;64(9):1802-11
references.pmid: 17316942
references.citation: AIDS. 2010 Oct 23;24(16):2541-52
references.pmid: 20881473
references.citation: BMJ. 2008 Aug 07;337:a506
references.pmid: 18687720
references.citation: Afr Health Sci. 2006 Dec;6(4):207-14
references.pmid: 17604509
references.citation: Artha Vijnana. 1984 Sep;26:189-216
references.pmid: 12340174
references.citation: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Aug 11;12:84
references.pmid: 22883933
references.citation: J Biosoc Sci. 2004 Sep;36(5):617-26
references.pmid: 15446355
references.citation: PLoS Med. 2010 Jun 08;7(6):e1000287
references.pmid: 20543994
references.citation: Stud Fam Plann. 2008 Mar;39(1):18-38
references.pmid: 18540521
references.citation: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013 Mar 19;13:69
references.pmid: 23510090