Exploring the Drivers of Unintended Pregnancy and its Implications among Homeless Women in Selected Sub-cities of Addis Ababa
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Date
2025-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Unintended or unplanned pregnancies imply to pregnancy which was untimed and not planned by women. It’s prevalence in Ethiopia among women in the general population is reported as 26.6% from 2020 EDHS data. The major objective of this study was to explore the driving factors or reasons and implications of unintended pregnancy among homeless women in Addis Ababa. We interviewed sixteen homeless women who experienced unplanned pregnancies using a phenomenological qualitative approach by using purposive sampling at six sub-cities of Addis Ababa. The drivers of unintended pregnancy fall into four major themes: barriers in decision-making, societal pressures and norms surrounding contraception and pregnancy, complex life influences, and challenges with contraceptive use and mismanagement. Meanwhile, the implications of unintended pregnancy include the challenges faced by homeless women and their coping mechanisms. Enhancing health literacy can improve contraceptive use and empower homeless women to exercise control over their reproductive rights.
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Unintended pregnancy, Homeless, Implications of, contraceptive literacy, Addis Ababa