Men’s Experiences of Unintended Pregnancies: Results from a National Survey in France

Anna Kaagesten, Johns Hopkins University
Nathalie Bajos, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Aline Bohet, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Mireille Le Guen, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)
Caroline Moreau, Johns Hopkins University and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)

Despite increased focus on men’s role in family planning, the circumstances and characteristics of men who experience unintended pregnancies remain unexplored. Data were drawn from the population-based FECOND Study conducted in France in 2010. The current study included 2,997 men out of who 664 reported 893 recent pregnancies (5 years past years). We used marginal effects poisson regression to investigate the individual and contextual factors associated with recent pregnancy intentions. Five percent of all heterosexually active men experienced a recent unintended pregnancy; 22% were unintended, of which 45% ended in induced abortion. Intentions were strongly related to age, mother’s education and birthplace. Financial and relationship situation at time of conception also affected pregnancy intent. Almost three in four unintended pregnancies occurred when the respondent reported not using contraceptives. These results call for gender-inclusive family planning programs, which fully engage men as active participants in pregnancy prevention in their own rights.