Unintended pregnancy and associated factors among Nigerian urban and rural woman

This study examines unintended pregnancy among Nigerian women, focusing on urban-rural disparities and associated socio-demographic, economic, and healthcare factors. It aims to identify key determinants of unintended pregnancies and explore how cultural, financial, and healthcare accessibility differences contribute to reproductive health outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 women who had experienced unintended pregnancies and abortion (in less than two month) to capture their lived experiences. A structured survey was administered to 422 women in selected rural and urban healthcare facilities across Osun and Lagos States. Data analysis included thematic analysis for qualitative insights and statistical tests to determine associations between socio-demographic factors and unintended pregnancies. Findings revealed a higher prevalence of unintended pregnancy among rural women than urban women. Limited access to contraception, economic hardship, and cultural restrictions were key factors in rural areas, while urban women facedmisinformation, financial constraints, and social stigma. Single, younger, and less-educated women were more vulnerable to unintended pregnancies. Healthcare inaccessibility in rural areas and provider stigma in urban centers further complicated reproductive choices. Economic dependency on male partners influenced contraceptive decisions, and unsafe abortion practices were common due to fear of societal judgment. Quantitative findings confirmed these associations, showing significant links between unintended pregnancy rates and socio-demographic factors. Unintended pregnancy in Nigeria is not merely a result of lack of contraception but a consequence of structural inequalities affecting women's reproductive autonomy. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive sexual education, improved healthcare access, economic empowerment, and policy reforms to remove cultural and legal barriers to reproductive choices.