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The Lancet Global Health
March 2018
Picture shows world map

Global, Regional, and Subregional Trends in Unintended Pregnancy and Its Outcomes from 1990 to 2014: Estimates from a Bayesian Hierarchical Model

Jonathan Bearak,Guttmacher Institute
Anna Popinchalk,Guttmacher Institute
Leontine Alkema,University of Massachusetts Amherst
Gilda Sedgh,Guttmacher Institute
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First published online: March 5, 2018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30029-9
Background

Estimates of pregnancy incidence by intention status and outcome indicate how effectively women and couples are able to fulfil their childbearing aspirations, and can be used to monitor the impact of family-planning programmes. We estimate global, regional, and subregional pregnancy rates by intention status and outcome for 1990–2014.


Methods

We developed a Bayesian hierarchical time series model whereby the unintended pregnancy rate is a function of the distribution of women across subgroups defined by marital status and contraceptive need and use, and of the risk of unintended pregnancy in each subgroup. Data included numbers of births and of women estimated by the UN Population Division, recently published abortion incidence estimates, and findings from surveys of women on the percentage of births or pregnancies that were unintended. Some 298 datapoints on the intention status of births or pregnancies were obtained for 105 countries.


Findings

Worldwide, an estimated 44% (90% uncertainty interval [UI] 42–48) of pregnancies were unintended in 2010–14. The unintended pregnancy rate declined by 30% (90% UI 21–39) in developed regions, from 64 (59–81) per 1000 women aged 15–44 years in 1990–94 to 45 (42–56) in 2010–14. In developing regions, the unintended pregnancy rate fell 16% (90% UI 5–24), from 77 (74–88) per 1000 women aged 15–44 years to 65 (62–76). Whereas the decline in the unintended pregnancy rate in developed regions coincided with a declining abortion rate, the decline in developing regions coincided with a declining unintended birth rate. In 2010–14, 59% (90% UI 54–65) of unintended pregnancies ended in abortion in developed regions, as did 55% (52–60) of unintended pregnancies in developing regions.


Interpretation

The unintended pregnancy rate remains substantially higher in developing regions than in developed regions. Sexual and reproductive health services are needed to help women avoid unintended pregnancies, and to ensure healthy outcomes for those who do experience such pregnancies.


Funding

Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UK Aid from the UK Government.

Full text available on The Lancet Global Health
 
 

Acknowledgment

This study was made possible by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UK Aid from the UK Government. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the donors.

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Unintended Pregnancy Rates Declined Globally from 1990 to 2014

Infographic

Proportion of pregnancies that are unintended worldwide

Infographic

Changes in unintended pregnancy rates by world region

Topic

Global

  • Pregnancy

Geography

  • Global
  • Asia
  • Latin America & the Caribbean
  • Sub-Saharan Africa

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