Unplanned pregnancy in Portugal [Gravidez não planeada em Portugal]

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1997

Authors

Tavares, M (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Acta Medica Portuguesa

Vol. 10

Pages: 351-356

ISSN: 0870-399X

Publisher: Ordem dos Medicos

Indexing

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-7HZ

Abstract (EN): This study was to determine the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy in a national sample of Portuguese puerperae and to define a risk profile for women with unplanned pregnancy. We also evaluated the independent effect of unplanned pregnancy in prenatal care utilisation and in the prevalence of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age birth. Data was collected through a national survey proposed to the 50 major public Portuguese hospitals and answers were obtained from 41 hospitals, resulting in a sample of 1582 deliveries. Participants were classified as having a planned or unplanned pregnancy and were compared according to socio-demographic, behavioural, clinical, obstetric, and anthropometric characteristics. The prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was 39.4%. In the unplanned pregnancy group, singlewomen aged less than 19 years and more than 34 years, those with one or more previous pregnancies, with 25% or less of the expected education for their age, and with the National Health Service as the source of were significantly more frequent. These characteristics, except the health provision, were significant and independently associated with an increased risk of unplanned pregnancy.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific