Pregnancy among unmarried adolescents and young adults.

Objectives: To determine the risk factors for pregnancy among unmarried adolescents and young adults.

Methods: Case-control study was done over a period of 2 years. Data collected from 181 unmarried abortion seekers and 181 unmarried non-pregnant controls (≤24 years) attending three Medical Colleges of Kerala.

Results: Logistic regression analysis showed a strong association between unmarried adolescent pregnancy and lack of parental supervision and control (OR 8.74, P = 0.000), poor intra-family relationship (OR 7.01, P = 0.000), family problem (OR 4.41, P = 0.000), lack of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health (OR 4.95, P = 0.0003), and non-engagement of adolescent in any productive activity (OR 4.41, P = 0.0373).

Conclusions: Lack of parental control, family problem, poor intra-family relationship, lack of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, and lack of engaging in any productive activity were found to be significant predictors for unmarried adolescent pregnancy.