A formative, qualitative study investigated the meaning for African American women of "pregnancy intention" and related concepts, including "planning", "wantedness", "preparedness" and "timing". An ultimate goal of the research initiative is the reformulation of traditional intendedness measures such as those used in the National Survey on Family Growth (NSFG), so that they more closely reflect the experiences and perceptions of pregnant women and women at risk for pregnancy. Review of relevant literature and focus groups with health care and service providers informed the development of semi-structured interview guides. Twenty African American women age 18 to 40, who were either in their first trimester of pregnancy or who had a recent negative pregnancy test, participated in in-depth interviews. They discussed the events leading up to their awareness or suspicion of a pregnancy, the development of their attitudes toward their pregnancy (or suspected pregnancy), their communications with partners and other members of their social networks, and their proceptive and contraceptive behaviors. Analyses of these narratives revealed that attitudes toward pregnancy at and around the time of conception can be extremely complex, fluid and difficult to categorize. The findings underscore the importance of including women with negative pregnancy tests in studies of intendedness. They also reinforce the view that resolving definition and measurement issues will enhance the effectiveness of health interventions to prevent negative social and health outcomes associated with unintended pregnancy.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Pregnancy, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.