Prevalence and Multi-Faceted Effects of Unintended Pregnancy on Women's Psychology, Physical Health, and Socioeconomic Status in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy among women in Saudi Arabia and assess its psychological, physical, and socioeconomic impact.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional.
Place and Duration of Study: The study data were retrieved from all the provinces of Saudi Arabia from October 2024 to April 2025.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on women aged 18-49 who had experienced an unintended pregnancy in the last five years across all provinces of Saudi Arabia. Most of the participants of
the study were recruited via social media platforms using online structured questionnaires.
Results: This study included 587 women from across Saudi Arabia who had experienced an unintended pregnancy. Most of the participants were Saudi nationals (93.9%) with a bachelor's degree (61.7%). Unintended pregnancies were predominantly reported once in the past five years (83.6%), with singleton pregnancies being most common (94.2%). Over half of the pregnancies were not protected by any contraception (54.7%). Financial strain was reported by 23.7% of participants and was significantly associated with nationality (p=0.027) and age (p=0.016), with greater impact among non-Saudis and less financial disruption in women aged ≥36 years. Mental health was notably affected post-pregnancy, especially in those with multiple unintended pregnancies (p=0.020). Educational impacts were significant among those with only elementary to middle education (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Unintended pregnancies significantly impact Saudi women's financial, mental, and educational domains. Notably, the lack of contraceptive use is widespread, contributing to high rates of unintended pregnancies. Targeted educational programs and improved access to family planning services are critical for alleviating significant societal consequences