Effects of pregnancy intention on completing the maternity continuum of care in Ethiopia: Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis using propensity score

Background

High rates of unintended pregnancy and low completion of the maternity continuum of care remain major health concerns in Ethiopia. The association between pregnancy intention and the completion of the maternity continuum of care has been assessed in some cross-sectional studies. However, the effect of pregnancy intention on the completion of the maternity continuum of care in Ethiopia has not yet been investigated.

Aim

To determine the effect of pregnancy intention on the completion of the maternity continuum of care in Ethiopia.

Methods

A nationally representative data set was used from the Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia longitudinal survey, which was conducted from 2019 to 2021. A propensity score method was conducted to assess the effect of pregnancy intention on the completion of the maternity continuum of care. Pregnancy intention was considered as the exposure variable, while the completion of the maternity continuum of care was the outcome variable. The analysis included a total weighted sample of 2553 postpartum women. A logistic regression model was used based on inverse probability of treatment weights to determine the effects of exposure, adjusting for potential covariates.

Findings

Women with intended pregnancies had 50 % higher odds of completing the maternity continuum of care (AOR=1.50, 95 % CI: 1.10 to 2.06) compared to those with unintended pregnancies.

Conclusion

Intended pregnancy is significantly associated with a higher completion rate of the maternity continuum of care. Interventions should focus on preventing unintended pregnancies, and early identification of women with unintended pregnancies and ensuring they have access to maternal healthcare services.