Induced abortion among married women in China: a study based on the 1997\u20132017 China Fertility Surveys

Abstract

This study uses four sets of data from China Fertility Surveys completed during the years 1997–2017 to analyze the trend of induced abortion, with a focus on the twenty-first century. Married women of reproductive age who had a history of pregnancy during the 5 years prior to participating in a survey were the research object. The study also examines the variation of abortion proportions among different subgroups during different time periods, including an examination of the number and gender of children, place of residence, and contraceptive use of women who had induced abortions. The results show that the occurrence of induced abortion has decreased gradually, and that the risk of induced abortion was higher for those who had given birth to fewer children. However, induced abortion among women with two children has increased in recent years. It is noteworthy that induced abortions among childless premarital women have continued to increase in recent years, and that the sexual and reproductive health problems of adolescents remain of great concern. The occurrence of induced abortions after childbirth increased for those with one or two children, showing that the unmet need for contraception after childbirth should receive more attention. In addition, sex-selective abortion has been decreasing gradually, but still exists today.