Unintended Pregnancy in the United States

Abstract:
Data from the 1982, 1988, and 1995 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth, supplemented by data from other sources, are used to estimate 1994 rates and percentages of unintended birth and pregnancy and the proportion of women who have experienced an unintended birth, an abortion, or both. Rates of unintended pregnancy have declined, probably as a result of higher contraceptive prevalence and use of more effective methods. The authors conclude that efforts to achieve further decreases should focus on reducing risky behavior, promoting the use of effective contraceptive methods, and improving the effectiveness with which all methods are used. The pattern among teenagers is different from that among women aged 20 and older: between 1987 and 1994, the abortion rate increased among women aged 20 and older but decreased among women aged 15-19, while the rate of unplanned birth did not decline among teenagers and may have increased slightly. The authors note that in the absence of data, any explanation of the differences between teenagers and other age groups is speculative. The article contains a great deal of information and could possibly be overwhelming to some readers; however, it should be helpful in providing insights about the relationship between unintended pregnancy and abortion.

Author(s): HENSHAW, Stanley K.

Publication: Family Planning Perspectives


Date Published: 1/1/1998

Pages: 7

Location Code: 8237