Unintended Pregnancy in Pekalongan: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

According to data from the Good Mention Institute, as cited in the Stability Report 2022, the issue of unintended pregnancies in Indonesia rose by 40 percent, approaching the global figure of 60 percent (Kompas, 2022). Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that out of 200 million pregnancies per year, 75 million, or 30%, are unintended, with 95% of these unintended pregnancies occurring among adolescents.Methods.This research employs a phenomenological design with a qualitative approach, involving 10 informants who consist of 2 main informants, 4 supporting informants, and 4 triangulation informants, selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with the informants.Results.Based on data from the Pekalongan District Health Office, the highest increase in cases of unintended pregnancy was reported at the Wonokerto I Community Health Center. From 2021 to 2022, there was an increase of 12 cases of unintended pregnancy at this center. Research findings indicate that a significant portion of these cases stems from parents who employ ineffective and lenient parenting styles.Additionally, the study revealed that the phenomenon of unintended pregnancy within the community surrounding the health center reflects significant weaknesses in communication between parents and children. The communication that occurs between parents and children is not intensive, leading to a lack of assertive control by parents, which is primarily limited to occasional reprimands when rules are violated. This reflects ineffectiveness in supervision and discipline, as evidenced by children's habitual lying to their parents and frequent rule violations, such as returning home later than the agreed-upon time. Conclusion :The phenomenon of unintended pregnancy is influenced by weaknesses in communication and discipline among parents, which increase the risk of risky behavior in children. Furthermore, a lack of knowledge and consistency in parenting styles contributes to the rising cases of unintended pregnancy.