Concept Analysis of Pregnancy Planning Drawn from Women of Childbearing Age

Abstract

Pregnancy planning is becoming an important issue in preconception health promotion. Unfortunately, its definition and measurement remain imprecise. This article will develop an operational definition and identify essential components of the concept of pregnancy planning. Six steps from Walker and Avant’s concept analysis procedure were used. Data were collected through a literature review, interviews with key informants, and three focus groups. The concept analysis yielded a conceptual framework comprising three essential components: attitude, timing, and sexual behavior. Pregnancy planning is defined as the adoption of an attitude centered on conception, including sexual behaviors (proceptive or contraceptive) and timing. Moreover, pregnancy planning is not a clear-cut phenomenon with questions that can be answered simply with “yes” or “no”. Rather, it is a dynamic process that evolves according to contextual factors. From these results, an instrument evaluating the intensity of pregnancy planning can be developed for epidemiological research and promotional purposes.