Objective: Research has called for more exploration into how reproductive autonomy (which includes agency over pregnancy decisions) is related to structural, relational, and individual elements. Thus, we use surveys to investigate how one potential indicator of reproductive autonomy-feelings of control over pregnancy-may relate to structural, relational, and individual factors in emerging adults' (age 18-24) lives.
Methods: Using survey data from 2594 emerging adult women participating in a contraceptive initiative in Utah (USA), we analyzed level of agreement with the statement: "I feel that I have control over whether or not I get pregnant," exploring relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and agreement with the statement. We used chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression to investigate relationships between individual, relational, and structural factors and feelings of control.
Results: Most participants (86%) agreed with the statement (n = 2231), while the remainder were neutral or disagreed. Participants reporting poverty-level incomes (RRR: 1.80; 95 %CI 1.25-2.59) and previous unwanted pregnancies (RRR: 2.74; 95 %CI: 1.56-4.81) were more likely to describe "neutral" feelings of control.
Conclusion: Findings indicate a relationship between feelings of control over pregnancy and several factors, and these results may help identify reproductive autonomy access gaps among emerging adults. More work should investigate these relationships as well as the meaning of "neutral" responses when it comes to assessments of control over pregnancy.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02734199, Registered 12 April 2016.
Keywords: Contraception; Emerging adults; Pregnancy; Reproductive autonomy; Surveys.
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