Prevalence and associated factors of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, Southwestern Ethiopia
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Midwifery, Asrat Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University
- 2Department of Midwifery, Gambella Teachers Education and Health Science College
- 3Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Arba Minch University
- 4School of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Arba Minch University
Abstract
Unintended pregnancy remains a significant driver of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in humanitarian settings where health systems and social structures are disrupted. In Ethiopia, while the national prevalence is 26%, there is a critical research gap regarding the unique reproductive challenges faced by displaced populations. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, southwestern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 8 to February 10, 2026, among 422 ever-pregnant women selected through proportional allocation and simple random sampling. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires via the Kobo Collect application. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of unintended pregnancy, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. The overall prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 57.1% (95% CI: 52.2%, 61.9%), consisting of 43.4% mistimed and 13.7% unwanted pregnancies. Multivariable analysis revealed that maternal age ≥ 36 years (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.67) and no history of previous unwanted pregnancy (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08) were significantly inversely associated with unintended pregnancy. Conversely, grand multigravida women were 7.23 times more likely to report an unintended pregnancy compared to primigravida women (AOR = 7.23, 95% CI: 1.66, 31.45). The prevalence of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp is substantially higher than national and regional estimates. These findings suggest a significant gap in reproductive health autonomy and underscore the need for targeted interventions, including youth-friendly services and expanded access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) for grand multigravida women in humanitarian settings.
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BibTeX
@article{belete2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and associated factors of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, Southwestern Ethiopia}},
author = {Abel Belete and Kun Wal Chotper and Gebremaryam Temesgen and Abayneh Tunje},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-67365-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67365-5},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and associated factors of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, Southwestern Ethiopia
AU - Abel Belete
AU - Kun Wal Chotper
AU - Gebremaryam Temesgen
AU - Abayneh Tunje
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-67365-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67365-5
AB - Unintended pregnancy remains a significant driver of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in humanitarian settings where health systems and social structures are disrupted. In Ethiopia, while the national prevalence is 26%, there is a critical research gap regarding the unique reproductive challenges faced by displaced populations. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, southwestern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 8 to February 10, 2026, among 422 ever-pregnant women selected through proportional allocation and simple random sampling. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires via the Kobo Collect application. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of unintended pregnancy, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. The overall prevalence of unintended pregnancy was 57.1% (95% CI: 52.2%, 61.9%), consisting of 43.4% mistimed and 13.7% unwanted pregnancies. Multivariable analysis revealed that maternal age ≥ 36 years (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.67) and no history of previous unwanted pregnancy (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.08) were significantly inversely associated with unintended pregnancy. Conversely, grand multigravida women were 7.23 times more likely to report an unintended pregnancy compared to primigravida women (AOR = 7.23, 95% CI: 1.66, 31.45). The prevalence of unintended pregnancy in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp is substantially higher than national and regional estimates. These findings suggest a significant gap in reproductive health autonomy and underscore the need for targeted interventions, including youth-friendly services and expanded access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) for grand multigravida women in humanitarian settings.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -