Unwanted Pregnancy in Mexico

Abstract

This article use data from the National Health and Fertility Survey (ENFES) conducted in 1987 to explore the relationship between certain variables (education, urban/rural residence, place of primary socialisation, type of employment of head of household and employment background of female respondents) and unwanted pregnancy. The results indicate that education is the variable most closely related to preference for pregnancy. In contrast to the assumption that development increases the rate of unwanted pregnancy, the study found that women with employment backgrounds, higher education levels and urban-area residence registered the lowest levels of unwanted pregnancy. Using education level a control, the widest differentials were found in the combination of education and place of residence, and between and place of primary socialization. Variables related to employment showed and inconsistent relationship with rates of unwanted pregnancy.