Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110145

Kathleen M. O'Rourke, PhD, Alice Richman, MPH, and Mary E. Roddy, PhD. Lawton Rhea Chiles Research Center, University of South Florida, 3111 East Fletcher Ave., MDC 100, Tampa, FL 33613, 813-974-3240, arichman@hsc.usf.edu

Background: Young military adults are at risk for unintended pregnancy or paternity due to combined effect of their age, deployment overseas, short leaves, and unequal male to female ratios. Military forces are socially and financially impacted by high pregnancy rates. There is little research on pregnancy intention among either female or male soldiers. The goal of this study was to obtain data on pregnancy and paternity intention among soldiers upon their induction in the army. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined demographic, attitudinal, and contraceptive factors related to pregnancy/paternity intention among 571 female and 679 male army recruits. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model factors related to pregnancy and paternity intent. Results: At time of the survey, 76 (6.2%) soldiers were pregnant or expectant fathers. Among 1024 non-pregnant soldiers, 953 (93.1%) were not intending to conceive or father a child within 6 months. Soldiers who were single (OR= 2.5, p=.002, used (OR=1.8, p=.09) or had confidence in their birth control method (OR=4.5, p <.0001), and perceived having a baby as problematic (OR=6.9, p <.0001) were more likely than their counterparts to not plan on a pregnancy in the near future. Age, gender, education level, and rank were not associated with pregnancy intent. Conclusion: Most soldiers do not enter the military intending to become pregnant or fathers-to-be. However, studies have found a 50% rate of unintended military pregnancies. Those who don't intend pregnancy should be provided with programs to help them avoid unplanned pregnancies.

Learning Objectives:

• Define pregnancy rates among U.S. Army soldiers at the time of their induction into the army.
• Discuss factors related to pregnancy intent within 6-months among U.S. Army inductees

Keywords: Pregnancy, Family Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.