Unwanted pregnancy outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: Unwanted pregnancy happens when one of the couples or both did not expect pregnancy. Unwanted pregnancy highly affects health of couples and maternal mortality rate. Nowadays, it is one of the major health problems of under-developed countries. Given the high rate of unwanted pregnancy in Iran, this research tried to investigate its outcomes. Then, the health policy makers can precisely look for practical solutions on family planning and decrease the rate of unwanted pregnancies and their outcomes.

Methods: This was a qualitative study based on grounded theory. The participants included women with unwanted pregnancies, their husbands and personnel of health centers. Sample size after data saturation through interviews was revealed to be 18 participants. The data were collected by taped semi-organized interviews recorded for 45-80 minutes. The interviews were conducted in participants' houses with unwanted pregnancies, health centers and in one of the nursing and midwifery faculties in Iran. Strawbert method was applied to analyze the data.

Results: The findings indulged through qualitative method regarding unwanted pregnancy outcomes were classified in 82 codes and 4 groups of economic, physical, emotional, family problems and deprivation of social activity.

Conclusion: Lack of knowledge, motivation and insufficient understanding of couples regarding consequences of unwanted pregnancy caused their ignorance concerning family planning. So, the spouses should equally have family planning counseling to modify their attitudes and functions towards health systems.