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The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions

CONTEXT: Standard pregnancy intentions measures do not always align with how people approach pregnancy. Studies that have investigated beyond a binary framework found that those with “ambivalent” feelings towards pregnancy are less likely to use contraception consistently, but the reasons for this a...

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Autores principales: Manze, Meredith G., Romero, Diana R., De, Prabal, Hartnett, Josette, Roberts, Lynn
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Public Library of Science 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7987164/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33755705
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249032
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author Manze, Meredith G.
Romero, Diana R.
De, Prabal
Hartnett, Josette
Roberts, Lynn
author_facet Manze, Meredith G.
Romero, Diana R.
De, Prabal
Hartnett, Josette
Roberts, Lynn
author_sort Manze, Meredith G.
collection PubMed
description CONTEXT: Standard pregnancy intentions measures do not always align with how people approach pregnancy. Studies that have investigated beyond a binary framework found that those with “ambivalent” feelings towards pregnancy are less likely to use contraception consistently, but the reasons for this are unclear. We sought to gain a nuanced understanding of pregnancy desires, and how perceptions about pregnancy are associated with contraceptive use. METHODS: We used non-probability quota sampling based on sex, age, and geographic region for a web-based survey of heterosexual men and women, aged 21–44 years, who could become pregnant/impregnate and were not currently pregnant (n = 1,477; 51% female). The survey was created using unique items informed by recent literature. Bivariate and multivariable analyses explored relationships between various perceptions about pregnancy with pregnancy desires categorized as: wanting a pregnancy, not wanting a pregnancy, and not trying but would be okay with a pregnancy. We conducted a sub-group analysis of those who were not trying but would be okay with a pregnancy (n = 460), using descriptive statistics to examine how consistent contraceptive use was associated with emotions and beliefs about avoiding pregnancy. RESULTS: After adjustment, those who felt that pregnancy may not always be avoidable, but instead determined by fate/higher power, or a natural process that happens when it is meant to, were significantly more likely (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.05–3.36; aOR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.29–3.76, respectively) to report not trying but being okay with pregnancy, whereas those with negative feelings about a pregnancy were less likely to feel okay about a pregnancy (aOR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.08–0.15), versus not wanting a pregnancy. In the sub-group analysis, those who felt pregnancy was determined by fate/higher power or a natural process were more likely to report not using contraception consistently (70%, 68%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Those who state they are not trying but would be okay with pregnancy may not use contraception consistently because of beliefs that pregnancy is predetermined. Our findings support less categorical and more multidimensional approaches to measuring fertility intentions, with important implications for reproductive health service provision.
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spelling pubmed-79871642021-04-02 The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions Manze, Meredith G. Romero, Diana R. De, Prabal Hartnett, Josette Roberts, Lynn PLoS One Research Article CONTEXT: Standard pregnancy intentions measures do not always align with how people approach pregnancy. Studies that have investigated beyond a binary framework found that those with “ambivalent” feelings towards pregnancy are less likely to use contraception consistently, but the reasons for this are unclear. We sought to gain a nuanced understanding of pregnancy desires, and how perceptions about pregnancy are associated with contraceptive use. METHODS: We used non-probability quota sampling based on sex, age, and geographic region for a web-based survey of heterosexual men and women, aged 21–44 years, who could become pregnant/impregnate and were not currently pregnant (n = 1,477; 51% female). The survey was created using unique items informed by recent literature. Bivariate and multivariable analyses explored relationships between various perceptions about pregnancy with pregnancy desires categorized as: wanting a pregnancy, not wanting a pregnancy, and not trying but would be okay with a pregnancy. We conducted a sub-group analysis of those who were not trying but would be okay with a pregnancy (n = 460), using descriptive statistics to examine how consistent contraceptive use was associated with emotions and beliefs about avoiding pregnancy. RESULTS: After adjustment, those who felt that pregnancy may not always be avoidable, but instead determined by fate/higher power, or a natural process that happens when it is meant to, were significantly more likely (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.05–3.36; aOR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.29–3.76, respectively) to report not trying but being okay with pregnancy, whereas those with negative feelings about a pregnancy were less likely to feel okay about a pregnancy (aOR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.08–0.15), versus not wanting a pregnancy. In the sub-group analysis, those who felt pregnancy was determined by fate/higher power or a natural process were more likely to report not using contraception consistently (70%, 68%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Those who state they are not trying but would be okay with pregnancy may not use contraception consistently because of beliefs that pregnancy is predetermined. Our findings support less categorical and more multidimensional approaches to measuring fertility intentions, with important implications for reproductive health service provision. Public Library of Science 2021-03-23 /pmc/articles/PMC7987164/ /pubmed/33755705 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249032 Text en © 2021 Manze et al http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
spellingShingle Research Article
Manze, Meredith G.
Romero, Diana R.
De, Prabal
Hartnett, Josette
Roberts, Lynn
The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions
title The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions
title_full The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions
title_fullStr The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions
title_full_unstemmed The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions
title_short The association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: A new perspective on pregnancy intentions
title_sort association of pregnancy control, emotions, and beliefs with pregnancy desires: a new perspective on pregnancy intentions
topic Research Article
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7987164/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33755705
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249032
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