3.1.2  Factors related to unwanted pregnancy

Factors that can lead to unwanted pregnancy include: neglecting to use condoms with each act of intercourse; unplanned sex without the availability of contraceptives; incorrect use of the chosen method of contraception (e.g. condom breakage and slippage); not using contraceptives because of a lack of information on their availability and how to use them; not using an available contraceptive method because of some misconception (e.g. concerning its safety).

Some pregnancies result from rape (forced sexual intercourse) and incest (sexual activity between two people who are considered, for moral or genetic reasons, too closely related to have such a relationship, for example a brother and sister or a girl and her father). You will learn more about rape in Study Session 6.

Many adolescent girls do not discuss family planning with their partners due to fear of being abandoned because the man does not wish to bother with a condom, saying it takes away the pleasure. Or maybe she cannot discuss family planning because the man wishes her to have their baby and does not think of the consequences for a young mother.

As you have learned in Study Session 2 about Life skills, it is important that whenever you talk about the subject of unwanted pregnancy you help adolescents build their self-esteem and teach them how to use negotiation skills, but also to be assertive if necessary. You should also explain the appropriate use of contraceptives based on what you will study in Study Session 8 on contraception options for adolescents and young people. This is especially important with adolescents so that they begin practising safer and protected sex from an early age.