Induced Abortion Among Reproductive Age Group Women in Health Facilities of Wolaita Sodo, South Ethiopia

Abstract

There has been a significant reduction of abortion rates in high-income nations, while the rates remain unchanged in low-and middle-income countries. Post-abortion complications from induced abortion continued as the significant health burden of women in the reproductive age group in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess factors associated with induced abortion among the reproductive age group in health facilities of Wolaita Sodo, 2020. A facility-based cross-sectional study among women who seek post-abortion care service was conducted from February-to-July, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 362 women. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS version 23 were used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive statistics, followed by a multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed. In this study, 20.8% women experienced induced abortion. Being single {AOR: 5.8; 95% CI: (2.785, 11.898)}, having no formal education {AOR: 0.20; 95% CI: (0.050, 0.795)}, having current pregnancy order of ≥4 {AOR: 4.128; 95%CI: (1.597, 10.666)}, and unwanted pregnancies {AOR: 4.21; 95%CI:(1.432, 6.453)} were significantly associated with experiencing induced abortion. Being single, illiterate, having unwanted pregnancy and having four or more pregnancies were positively associated with induced abortion. Efforts to reduce induced abortion need to focus on increasing accessibility of contraception and fertility education by considering single, illiterate, and those who have four or more pregnancy history.