Impulsivity among women with unintended pregnancy

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy is a worldwide problem that affects women, their families and society. Abortion is a frequent consequence in the developing world and can result in serious long term negative health effects including maternal death.Aims:1.To assess impulsivity among women with unintended pregnancy2.To analyze the type of impulsivity among the study sample. Methodology: 47 pregnant women admitted to Vanivilas and Gosha hospitals with history of MTP pill abuse or for MTP were randomly selected and compared with 50 controls who came for regular ANC over a period of 2 months and a cross sectional observational study was done. Each patient was given Barratt’s impulsivity questionnaire after taking consent and assessed for impulsivity and the type. Results were analyzed using student t test or ANOVA accordingly.Results:47 cases were matched with 50 controls. 87% of the cases were
found to be impulsive versus 20 % among controls, hence impulsive women are at 27.33 times higher risk of having unintended pregnancy, with a statistical significance p<0.05.The pattern of impulsivity among the cases was that , 40.5% were Non planning type(NP), 17% Attentional (AI), 21% Motor(MI), 8.5% mixed and 13% were non impulsive. While in the control group 2% were NP, 4% AI ,0 MI, 14% had mixed type, 80% were non impulsive. Conclusion: Women with higher levels of non planning impulsivity are significantly at a higher risk of having unintended pregnancies and its sequeale. Identifying this helps in implementation of psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy and contraception counselling as well.