Background and Objectives: An options counselling
for unintended pregnant women is provided by
Srinagarind hospital to support them to make their
own choices. This study aimed to study the effects of
options counselling and factors associate with decision
making on pregnancy options among unintended
pregnant adolescents and youths.
Methods: A retrospective study over three years
(2016-2019) was conducted. The data were retrieved
from the medical records of unintended pregnant
adolescents and youths who participated in the
options counselling program at Srinagarind hospital.
This study included pregnant adolescents and youths
aged 24 years old and under. The sociodemographic
data and decision making on pregnancy options were
gathered and analyzed by the Fisher’s exact test.
Results: Thirty-one of samples with average age was
17.9 years old (SD ±3.0). Eighty-four percent were
students from high school and college. Almost 94
percent were primigravida. The average gestational
age at first visit was 12 weeks and 6 days (SD ±7 weeks
and 6 days). The pregnant adolescents and youths
who decided either to continue a pregnancy to term
or terminate a pregnancy were accounted for 38.7 and 61.3 percent, respectively. In addition, 58.4
percent of them decided to use the effective
contraceptive methods. Gestational age at the first
visit was associated with decision making on
pregnancy options (Fisher’s exact test 9.54, df=1,
p=0.007). Age, occupation, number of pregnancies,
contraceptive methods and healthcare access (by
herself or being referred) were not significantly
associated with decision making on pregnancy options.
Conclusion: Most of unintended pregnant women
decided to terminate their pregnancies. The first visit
was late for some women that could lead to delay
receiving options counselling and minimize their
choices. The release information of options
counselling should be provided for all unintended
pregnant women to promote healthcare accessibility
within early trimester for reducing the crisis of
unintended pregnancy.
Keywords
option counseling unintended pregnancy adolescent youth decision making