Risk for Unintended Pregnancy among Latino Men and Women in a Nonmetropolitan County in Michigan

Introduction: This study characterizes the risk for unintended pregnancy among Latino men and women within a racially and ethnically diverse county in Michigan. Methods: Latino respondents aged 18 to 50 years who reported no intention to become pregnant in the next year and no contraception use were defined as “at risk” for unintended pregnancy. Any associations between risk for unintended pregnancy and sociodemographic factors was determined through multivariate logistic regression. Results: Risk for unintended pregnancy was higher among men (67%) than women (59%; P=0.046; n=341). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, English speaking ability was associated with lower odds for risk of unintended pregnancy (OR=0.73; P=0.004). Having a high school degree or less was associated with higher odds for risk of unintended pregnancy (OR=4.15, P<0.001 and OR=2.74, P=0.026, respectively). Conclusion: Among Latinos in a nonmetropolitan community, both men and women were at high risk for unintended pregnancy. Future studies that address the reasons behind this elevated risk may inform potential interventions among this at-risk group.