Public Perceptions About Unplanned Pregnancy

A nationally representative telephone survey in 1994 of 2,002 adults indicates that 60% believe that unplanned pregnancy is a very big problem in the United States, and virtually all (90%) say it is at least a somewhat big problem. Two-thirds mistakenly believe that a larger percentage of women have unplanned pregnancies now than 10 years ago. A decline in moral standards is cited by 89% of respondents as contributing very much or somewhat to the problem. Lack of education is mentioned as a significant factor by 87%, and 88% see any of three barriers to contraceptive use--knowledge about use, access or cost--as being important factors. Never-married women with children, women in general, low-income respondents, Hispanics and those aged 65 or older are the most likely to believe that barriers to contraceptive access contribute very much to unplanned pregnancy; they are especially likely to cite cost or an inability to obtain contraceptives.