Predictors of Unintended Pregnancy Among South African Youth

Abstract

Although unintended pregnancy is recognized as a major public health problem in South Africa, studies on it have been limited and at local level. Using the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) data set, this study examined the distribution of and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among South African youth.
Analysis was based on a sub-sample of 1, 395 women aged 15-24 who were interviewed during the survey and who had pregnancy at the time of and/or three years preceding the survey. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate methods of analysis were employed.
The results show a high level of unintended pregnancy with only 29% of the pregnancies wanted. The level of unintended pregnancy varies by region and some socio-economic variables. Five critical predictors of unintended pregnancy among South African youth were identified. These are: age group, region, marital status, education and relationship to the last sexual partner.

The findings of this study have implications for reproductive health policies and programmes in designing appropriate national programmes for reducing the incidence of unintended pregnancy among South African youth. The need for further research into this area using triangulated methodology is recommended.


Eastern African Social Sciences Review Vol. 23 (1) 2007: pp. 61-80