Unintended Pregnancy among Unmarried Female Students at the University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy among university students is a pressing public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored the factors contributing to unintended pregnancies among unmarried female students at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). The study was conducted at UDSM, using a qualitative approach. Undergraduate unmarried female students were sampled purposively, with a sample size of 20 participants, and convenience sampling was used to recruit five (5) male students who consented to participate. Semi-structured interviews and four (4) focus group discussions (FGD) were used to collect information. The information was analysed using thematic analysis based on Intersectionality Theory. The study's findings produced five themes: socioeconomic vulnerability, emotional and psychological factors, cultural norms, lack of sexual and reproductive health education, and peer influence, which are the main factors influencing unintended pregnancies among unmarried female students at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study concludes that unintended pregnancies among female university students result from the intersection of economic insecurity, psychological vulnerability, sociocultural expectations, and inadequate reproductive health education. The study recommends the need for comprehensive sexual education, economic empowerment programmes, and policy reforms to support informed reproductive choices and gender equality.