Repeat abortion-seeking behaviour in Queensland, Australia: knowledge and use of contraception and reasons for terminating the pregnancy.

Abstract

SummaryThis paper examines the knowledge and use of contraception, and abortion decision-making of 212 Australian women who were seeking a repeat abortion in 1980. The analysis of questionnaires from a pregnancy and family planning clinic revealed that most women were seeking their second abortion. Single women were more likely to claim a slight knowledge of contraception and irregular use of contraceptives, and to attribute pregnancy to the failure of the pill. Women in de facto or cohabitation relationships were most likely to rate the abortion decision as difficult. Of the women who returned post-abortion questionnaires, almost all felt they had made the correct decision.