Conceptualizing and Testing a New Measure of Fertility Intentions: a Mixed Methods Exploration of Factors That Affect the Achievement of Childbearing Plans

EMILY McDONALD EVENS: Conceptualizing and Testing a New Measure of Fertility Intentions: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Factors that Affect the Achievement of Childbearing Plans (Under the direction of Sian Curtis and Herbert Peterson) Understanding fertility intentions is crucial for reproductive health research and programs. While quantitative research has identified factors associated with fertility intentions and simple measures of intentions predict pregnancy moderately well, discrepancies between stated intentions and behavior are common and understanding of fertility decision making remains imperfect. Knowledge of factors that enable some women to achieve plans for pregnancy while others fail could advance understanding of unintended pregnancy, unmet need for family planning and contraceptive discontinuation. Two analyses were conducted to explore factors affecting the achievement of fertility intentions among Honduran women of reproductive age seeking health services in four Honduran cities. First, focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews were conducted to examine reproductive decision making and factors thought to affect intentions. Locus of motivation for fertility decision making, the ability to pursue educational and occupational