To describe pregnancy intention and proper use of contraceptive methods among low income, mostly minority women living in underserved neighborhoods to provide appropriate contraceptive education.

A descriptive study using baseline survey data from an ongoing randomized controlled trial, the Preconception Reproductive Knowledge Promotion Project (PREKNOP). Social Cognitive Theory and the Health Promotion Model were used as the guiding frameworks for the study.

Three racially diverse, low income, underserved, urban neighborhoods in a Midwestern state.

Participants were women of childbearing age who were enrolled in PREKNOP. Women who completed the baseline survey and reported not planning on getting pregnant in the next 6 months (n = 61) were included in the analysis.

A descriptive design was used to collect baseline survey data. Questions were asked about participants’ plans to get pregnant in the next 6 months and incorrect use of contraception during sexual intercourse within the past month. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted using STATA 11.

Approximately 50% of the women had a household income of less than $10,000; 65% were not married; 44% were Hispanic; and approximately 38% were Black. Women's ages ranged from 18 to 51 years (mean = 30 years). More than one third of the women (34%) reported having sex without using contraceptives properly. Most Black (70%) and Hispanic (89%) women definitely did not want to become pregnant but were more likely to have sexual intercourse without proper use of contraception (43% Black, 30% Hispanic).

About half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Unintended pregnancy often results from lack of, inconsistent use of, or incorrect use of contraceptive methods. Rates of unintended pregnancies are greatest among poor and minority women and are associated with increased health risks for the mother and infant. Limited research has been done on pregnancy intention and proper contraceptive use in low income and minority women. Our findings suggest a need for education on the importance of using contraceptives properly to prevent unintended pregnancies, especially in low income Black and Hispanic women. In addition, there is a need to investigate further reasons why some low income and minority women fail to use contraceptives properly and put themselves at risk for unwanted pregnancies.