Repeat induced abortions in Georgia, characteristics of women with multiple pregnancy terminations: secondary analysis of the Reproductive Health Survey 2010

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the multi-faceted characteristics of women with repeat induced abortions and assess post-abortion family planning service provision in Georgia. Study designWe performed secondary analysis of the data from the Georgian Reproductive Health Survey 2010. A logistic regression model was used to assess the socio-demographic and behavioral factors, contraceptive practices in relation to repeat induced abortions for 2203 women of reproductive age with at least one induced abortion. The Chi-Square test was used to evaluate provision of post-abortion family planning services. ResultsAmong the targeted women, 70% (n=1539) had repeat induced abortions. The odds of terminating pregnancy raised exponentially with age (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 2.11–4.61), number of complete pregnancies (3 vs. 0–1 complete pregnancies: OR 3.25, 95% CI: 2.36–4.48) and lower education (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.10–1.73). The current use of contraception had a protective effect on the occurrence of repeat induced abortions (OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53–0.89 for modern and OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50–0.92 for traditional methods).The contraceptive counseling and family planning method was provided only to 32% and 6% of post-abortion women, respectively before discharge from the clinic. Repeat induced abortions were found to be significantly more common (P<0.05) among women who did not receive any post-abortion contraceptive at the site of care (n=1627/1929) compared to those who left the abortion facility with family planning method (n=94/125). ConclusionLow education, higher age, high parity and non-usage of contraceptives carry an increased risk of repeat induced abortions. Post-abortion family planning service delivery is limited in Georgia. Mandating provision of universal post-abortion contraception at the sites of care has a potential to reduce repeat induced abortions and should become a standard of practice for all clinics providing abortion services in Georgia.