Abstract
Background
Research has suggested the importance of pregnancy desire in explaining pregnancy
risk behavior among adolescent females. Much of the literature, however, uses cross-sectional
study designs to examine this relationship. Because bias may strongly influence these
results, more prospective studies are needed to confirm the relationship between pregnancy
desire and pregnancy incidence over time.
Methods
Nonpregnant adolescents aged 14- to 19 years (n = 208) completed baseline interviews and interviews every 6 months thereafter for
18 months. Logistic regression was used to examine demographic and psychosocial correlates
of pregnancy desire. Cox regression analysis was used to determine whether pregnancy
desire predicted pregnancy incidence over time after controlling for potential confounders.
Results
Twenty-four percent of participants either desired pregnancy or were ambivalent toward
pregnancy in the next year. Pregnancy desire was associated with older age, relationship
duration of <6 months, and greater perceived stress. After accounting for potential
confounders, pregnancy desire doubled the risk of becoming pregnant over the 18-month
follow-up period (relative risk, 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99–4.02). Additionally,
a heightened risk for pregnancy was found among those who expressed some desire for
pregnancy and who were not in school compared with those who expressed no desire for
pregnancy and who were in school (relative risk, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.21–19.31).
Conclusion
Our analysis reinforces the importance of evaluating pregnancy desire among sexually
active adolescent females. Interventions should target young women in new romantic
relationships and who are not in school to improve pregnancy prevention efforts. Additionally,
improving coping abilities may help to reduce feelings of pregnancy desire among adolescent
females.
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Biography
Ms. Sipsma's research interests include adolescent reproductive health and maternal and child health more broadly, with a focus on both domestic and international settings.
Biography
Dr. Ickovics' research lies at the intersection between public health and psychology. She investigates the interplay of the complex psychological, medical, and social factors that influence the health of the person and of the community.
Biography
Ms. Lewis' areas of interest lie in adolescent pregnancy, reproductive and behavioral health, and HIV prevention.
Biography
Dr. Ethier's research has included psychosocial, behavioral, organizational and clinical factors related to women's health, maternal health and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Biography
Dr. Kershaw's research revolves around the intersection of sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health in young women, men, and couples.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 23, 2010
Accepted:
September 16,
2010
Received in revised form:
September 16,
2010
Received:
January 11,
2010
Footnotes
Supported by Award Number T32MH020031 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIMH or the NIH.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
