Induced Abortion Rate Research Articles

Effects of multilevel postpartum family planning intervention on the reduction of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion rates within 12 months of delivery: A cluster randomized controlled study in China

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a multilevel promoting postpartum family planning (PPFP) intervention on the reduction of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions in China. Study designWe performed a cluster randomized intervention study to assess the effects of a multilevel PPFP intervention on the rates of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion within 12 months postpartum. Thirty-six hospitals were included and randomly allocated to two groups at a 1:1 ratio, enrolling 180 pregnant women per hospital starting in January 2019. The intervention included integrated contraceptive education and counseling at three critical stages, namely, the third trimester, delivery, and several postpartum time points. We used life table and multilevel Cox regression for data analysis. ResultsWe recruited 6315 participants, namely, 3116 in the intervention group and 3199 in the control group. The 12-month cumulative rates of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion were significantly lower in the intervention group (2.74% [95% CI, 2.16–3.46] and 1.43% [95% CI, 1.01–2.03], respectively) than in the control group (6.99% [95% CI, 6.00–8.14] and 3.85% [95% CI, 3.09–4.79], respectively). Multilevel Cox regression revealed a 63% reduction in the risk of unintended pregnancy (hazard ratio 0.37 [95% CI, 0.19–0.71]) and a 66% reduction in the risk of induced abortion (hazard ratio 0.34 [95% CI, 0.16–0.69]) in the intervention group. ConclusionsThis multilevel PPFP intervention was effective in reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion within the first year after childbirth. We recommend scaling up this approach to other hospitals across the country that provide prenatal educational classes and postpartum contraceptive services. ImplicationsMultifaceted PPFP interventions, which encompass contraceptive education during both pregnancy and the postpartum period, are effective in reducing unintended pregnancy rates in China. This strategy could be adopted in other similar health care settings worldwide. Clinical TrialsChiCTR1900023790

Trends and Inequities in Use of Abortion Services in Nepal: A Nepal Demographic and Health Survey Data Analysis 1996-2022 A.D.

Despite policy advances and public health initiatives in Nepal to improve access to reproductive healthcare, disparities persist in utilization of abortion services. Grounded in longitudinal data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey from 1996 to 2022, this study aims to shed light on evolving patterns in pregnancy outcomes and inequities in use of abortion services across ecological zones and wealth quintiles. Utilizing six rounds of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data, pregnancy outcomes were categorized as abortion, delivery, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Income-related inequality in the utilization of abortion services was assessed through the concentration index, ranging from -1 to 1. Trends over time were evaluated using the annual rate of change. The ARC indicated a substantial rise in induced abortion rates, surging from 0.4% in 1996 to 8.8% in 2022. In contrast, live births witnessed a decline from 92.8% to 81.2%. Significant variations were observed across ecological zones and wealth quintiles, with the Mountain zone and the Poorest group experiencing the most pronounced increases in induced abortion rates. By 2022, the concentration index reached a near-zero value, signifying a near-elimination of income-related disparities in the use of induced abortion services. The findings suggest that while there has been significant progress in access to and use of abortion services in Nepal, particularly post-2002 policy shifts, challenges remain. Women from lower socio-economic backgrounds continue to face barriers, indicating the need for a multi-pronged approach to address residual challenges. Nepal has made remarkable strides in enhancing equitable access to and use of induced abortion services, but more needs to be done to guarantee equitable access for all women. Future efforts should focus on policy reforms, infrastructural improvements, and societal change to eliminate existing barriers to reproductive healthcare.

Induced abortion among adolescent girls and young women: should geography matter in Ghana?

Globally, there has been a slight reduction in abortion rates. However, abortion rates have increased in other major regions, including sub-Saharan Africa. Induced abortion rates vary by ecological zone and place of residence, and it is prevalent among women aged 15–24. This study examined the predictors of induced abortion in ecological zones by place of residence among adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24. The 2017 Ghana Maternal and Health Survey, which is a nationally representative household survey dataset, was used for this study. This analysis is restricted to 3194 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 15–24 years. A two-level multilevel binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the individual and contextual level characteristics associated with induced abortion. The results show that the prevalence rate of induced abortion among adolescent girls and young women is 26.0%. After adjusting for individual and community level factors, ecological zones and place of residence predicted induced abortion among AGYW. More importantly, the results demonstrate that AGYW residing in urban areas of the forest zones were statistically significant to report induced abortion compared to those in the rural areas. In conclusion, there is a strong association between place of residence, ecological zones and induced abortion in Ghana. Primarily, urban-dwelling women in the forest zone are more likely to report induced abortion. There is, therefore, a need to prioritize women residing in urban areas and the forest zone of Ghana. AGYW in these high-risk ecological zones should be reached with sufficient health education and sensitization about induced abortion. Given the protective factor of contraceptive use, it is recommended that the government and its health agencies strengthen campaigns to improve contraceptive use among AGYW across the country, particularly in the urban forest ecological zone.

Is reverence for life reverence for rule? Awe culture and corporate tax avoidance in China

We study the impact of awe culture on corporate tax avoidance. Using regional induced abortion rates to proxy for awe culture, we document that stronger awe culture is associated with a higher degree of corporate tax avoidance, confirming reverence for life is reverence for rules. Additional analysis suggests that awe culture influences corporate tax avoidance via management opportunism and risk-appetite channels. The conclusions remain intact after an array of robustness tests. Further analysis suggests that the awe culture effect on corporate tax avoidance is insignificant when senior executives or directors have overseas backgrounds or the proportion of female board members is high. However, the effect is more pronounced when firms have high financial constraints, poor internal governance, or weak taxation enforcement. Notably, given that awe culture shapes corporate behavior, firms should fully consider the effect of awe culture in their economic practices.

Awe culture and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China

AbstractBy proxying ‘awe culture’ (i.e., reverence for life and ethical behaviour) with regional induced abortion rates, we examine the impact of awe culture on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a sample of Chinese firms. We find that firms located in areas with higher induced abortion rates spend less funds on CSR activities and obtain lower CSR scores. The findings remain intact after an array of robustness tests. Further analysis shows that the effect of awe culture on CSR is more pronounced in areas with weaker law enforcement and where the local government emphasises economic growth targets. However, the effect becomes insignificant when firms are well‐represented by top executives with overseas experience, foreign directors, and a high proportion of female board members. The significance of the effect also diminishes for non‐state‐owned firms, and firms with higher institutional ownership and higher cash holdings. Moreover, the lack of awe culture attenuates the positive impact of CSR on firm value. Overall, we document that awe culture, as an informal institution, shapes CSR behaviours.

Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on spontaneous abortion and induced abortion: A population-based cross-sectional and longitudinal study in the Fukushima Prefecture based on the census survey of the Fukushima maternity care facility and vital statistics.

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) was a disaster leading to radiation exposure and psychological distress, particularly among pregnant women. However, it is not known how this affected the seasonal changes of pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of the GEJE in the Fukushima Prefecture on spontaneous and induced abortions with regard to seasonal variability. We used the data of vital statistics of live birth and stillbirth registry and the census survey of the Fukushima Maternity Care Facility. We calculated the spontaneous and induced abortion rate for 2011-2016 using two different methods (cross-sectional and longitudinal). We calculated the quartiles and outliers to determine the impact and duration of the GEJE. Periodicity was investigated using spectral density analysis. The data were analyzed for the entire Fukushima Prefecture and by region. The spontaneous abortion rate did not show specific changes after the GEJE. Contrarily, the monthly analysis in the cross-sectional method, revealed specific increases in induced abortion rate during the year after the GEJE; in the longitudinal method, induced abortions increased among women who became pregnant within 1 year after the GEJE. Spontaneous abortion showed no specific periodicity, while induced abortion showed cycles of 6 and 12 months, with a particular increase in May each year. The spontaneous abortion rate was not affected by the GEJE. The changes in the induced abortion rate after the disaster may have overlapped with the timing of the increased periodicity, and cannot be attributed solely to the GEJE.

Recent trend and correlates of induced abortion in China: evidence from the 2017 China Fertility Survey

BackgroundAlthough there are more than 10 million induced abortions per year in China, there are few comprehensive, systematic, and characteristic-based data on induced abortions among Chinese women. This study aims to examine the overall trend in induced abortions in China and to analyze the correlation between induced abortions and some socio-economic factors.MethodsDrawing from the 2017 China Fertility Survey, this study analyzed induced abortions using multiple indicators from period and cohort perspectives on a sample of 240,957 women. The indicators include the abortion rate and proportion, average age at the time of induced abortion, age-specific cumulative proportions, and the number of induced abortions by cohort. The analysis also differentiated based on residency, ethnicity, education level, and marital status. A binomial logistic regression model was used to examine the association between induced abortions and socio-economic factors.ResultsBetween 2006 and 2016, among women aged 15–49, there was an increase in the induced abortion rate and the average age of women who had induced abortions, but a decline in the proportion of abortions. The proportion of induced abortion was higher among premarital than post-marital pregnancies, among unintended than planned pregnancies. Women with induced abortion experiences accounted for less than 30% of all cohorts, and the cumulative number of induced abortions per woman in each cohort was less than 0.45. These indicators varied with birth cohort, residence, ethnicity, education level, and marital status. The results of binomial logistic regression confirmed the association between induced abortion and these socio-economic variables. Sex-selective abortions of female fetuses still exist, despite the government’s considerable efforts to eliminate them.ConclusionThe practice of induced abortions differs by cohort and socio-economic characteristics. The profile of women who resort to abortions in China has shifted from well-educated urban women to rural, less-educated women. More effective measures should be taken by the government to reduce the number of induced abortions among women with higher abortion risks.

Non-Motherhood between Obligation and Choice: Statistical Analysis Based on Permutation Tests of Spontaneous and Induced Abortion Rates in the Italian Context.

(1) Background: This paper aims to examine two relevant phenomena in the context of public health: spontaneous abortion (SA) and induced abortion (IA). SA is one of the most common complications of pregnancies; IA is a conscious choice that is made by the mother/couple. (2) Methods: Permutation tests were applied to SA and IA standardized rates detected by ISTAT (2016–2020). The NPC test, chosen for its optimal properties, was applied to compare different Italian territorial divisions (stratifying for year and age classes of women) and analyze the trend of years by stochastic ordering. (3) Results: Only for SA, there are significant differences among the three territorial divisions: the South records higher SA standardized rates than the North and the Center; the rates of IA are similar. Relating to distinct women age classes, the SA standardized rates do not show significant differences among the three analyzed geographical areas; different results are highlighted for IA. Stochastic ordering shows that only the IA standardized rates are characterized by a significant monotonous decreasing trend over the years. (4) Conclusion: The SA phenomenon has shown a decreasing trend that could be justified by the progress of science. For IA, we can certainly say that the general decrease in the phenomenon is due to the greater use of contraceptive methods that help to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Reproductive changes among women in their 40s: A cross-sectional study.

The aim was to describe and compare changes in the reproductive pattern of women in their 40s observed over a decade in Scandinavia. Cross-sectional study using the total population of women aged 40-49years between 2008-2018 in Denmark, Norway and Sweden (on average n=1.5million). Aggregated data concerning birth and induced abortion rate were collected and analyzed from national health registers. National data on redeemed prescriptions of hormonal contraceptives in the three countries were collected from prescription registers. Births after spontaneous and assisted conceptions were identified by using cross-linked data on deliveries from the Medical Birth Registers and National Registers of Assisted Reproduction in the three countries. Use of hormonal contraception increased among women aged 40-44years in Denmark from 24% to 31%, in Sweden from 27% to 30%, and in Norway from 22% to 24%. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device was the most frequently used method in all countries. Birth rates among women 40-44years increased continuously from 9.5 to 12/1000 women in Denmark and from 11.7 to 14.3/1000 in Sweden, but remained stable in Norway at ~11/1000 women. There was a doubling of assisted conceptions in Denmark from 0.71 to 1.71/1000 women, Sweden from 0.43 to 0.81/1000 and Norway from 0.25 to 0.53/1000 women 40-49years of age. Sweden had the highest induced abortion rate (7.7 to 8.1/1000 women) in women aged 40-49years during the study period. From 2008 to 2018, birth rates continuously increased among women aged 40-49years in Denmark and Sweden and births resulting from assisted reproductive technology doubled in all three countries.

Decrease of condom use in heterosexual couples and its impact on pregnancy rates: the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS).

IntroductionFollowing the ‘Swiss statement’ in 2008 it became an option to omit the use of condoms in serodiscordant couples and to conceive naturally. We analysed its impact on condom use and pregnancy events.MethodsIn all, 3023 women (aged 18–49 years) participating in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study were included. Observation time was divided into pre‐ and post‐Swiss statement phases (July 2005–December 2008 and January 2009–December 2019). We used descriptive statistics, Poisson interrupted time series analysis for pregnancy incidence, and logistic regression to identify predictors of live births, spontaneous and induced abortions.ResultsCondomless sex in sexually active women increased from 25% in 2005 to 75% in 2019, while pregnancy incidence did not. Women after 2008 experienced higher spontaneous abortion rates (12.1% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.02) while induced abortion and live birth rates did not change significantly. Spontaneous abortions were more common in older women [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2–1.7, p < 0.001], in women consuming alcohol (aOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9–4.1, p < 0.001) and in those with non‐suppressed viral load (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.4, p ≤ 0.001). Induced abortions were more likely in women with depression (aOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8–6.3, p < 0.001) and non‐suppressed viral load (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2–0.7, p = 0.003).ConclusionsThe publication of the Swiss statement resulted in more condomless sex in heterosexual women, but this did not result in a higher incidence of pregnancy. Maternal age and spontaneous abortion rates increased over time, while induced abortion rates were not significantly affected. Women living with HIV in Switzerland have an unmet need regarding family planning counselling.

Trends in teenage delivery and abortion rates in Estonia over more than two decades: a nationwide register-based study.

In the last 30 years, Estonia has undergone major socio-economic changes, including profound educational and healthcare reforms. The study aimed to analyse trends in teenage delivery and induced abortion rates among younger and older teens, including Estonians and non-Estonians, and to study trends in repeat teenage pregnancies in more detail. The register-based study included data on 29 818 deliveries (1992-2019) and 25 865 (1996-2019) induced abortions among 15-19-year-old girls. Delivery and abortion rates per 1000 girls were calculated by age group, ethnicity and reproductive history. Poisson regression models were applied to estimate average annual percentage changes in delivery and abortion rates over the whole period and in two sub-periods with change points in the trend in 2007. The delivery rate decreased by 5.3% per year, from 49.9 in 1992 to 8.4 in 2019; the abortion rate decreased by 6.0% per year, from 42.4 in 1996 to 8.6 in 2019. A faster decline in delivery rates took place among Estonians than non-Estonians, but the opposite trend occurred in abortion rates. Delivery rates for first and repeat pregnancies decreased nearly at the same pace, while abortion rates for repeat pregnancies decreased faster than those for first pregnancies. A decreasing trend in teenage births is evident in parallel with society becoming wealthier. A remarkable decline in teenage abortions occurs when young people's rights to safe abortion, contraception, mandatory sexuality education and youth-friendly services are ensured. There always remains a small group of adolescents who repeatedly become pregnant.

Response to Therapeutic Abortion in Lactating Dairy Cows Carrying Dead Twins during the Late Embryo/Early Fetal Period.

Simple SummaryThe presence of dead embryos/fetuses can be precisely detected around 60 days post-insemination in dairy cattle. Little information on the fate of dead twins has been published. Practitioners usually apply a therapeutic abortion using prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) or its analogs to reduce the associated extended interval to estrus. This study evaluated the dose–response effect of PGF2α inducing abortion in cows with two dead twins at pregnancy diagnosis 28–34 days post-AI (late embryonic period) or at confirmation of pregnancy 49–55 days post-AI (early fetal period). An increased PGF2α dose had no influence on the induction of abortion and the induced abortion rate was inversely associated with milk production during the late embryonic period, whereas an increased PGF2α dose was found to offer improvements during the early fetal period.This study examined the dose–response effect of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) when used to induce abortion in cows with two dead twins at pregnancy diagnosis 28–34 days post-AI (late embryonic period: LE) or at pregnancy confirmation 49–55 days post-AI (early fetal period: EF). The study population consisted of 415 cows receiving a single PGF2α dose (PG1 group: 254 LE and 161 EF cows) and 200 receiving a 1.5 × PGF2α dose (PG1.5 group: 121 LE and 79 EF cows). The induced abortion rate was significantly lower (chi-square test; p < 0.0001) in the EF (34.6%) than LE cows (88%), and was also reduced (p = 0.001) in the EF PG1 group (28%) compared with the EF PG1.5 group (48.1%). High milk production (≥45 kg) was the only factor influencing the induced abortion rate in LE cows (odds ratio 0.2; p < 0.0001), whereas the odds ratio for induced abortion of PG1.5 cows was 2.3 (p = 0.005) in EF cows. In conclusion, an increased PGF2α dose had no effect on abortion induction during the late embryonic period and its rate was inversely associated with milk production. This higher PGF2α dose did, however, offer benefits during the early fetal period.

Municipal contraceptive services, socioeconomic status and teenage pregnancy in Finland: a longitudinal study

ObjectivesDeclining teenage pregnancy rates have been linked to improved access to youth-friendly contraceptive services, but information on the combined association of these services and socioeconomic factors with teenage pregnancy is...

Is Reverence for Life Reverence for Rule? Abortion Rate and Corporate Tax Avoidance in China

Despite the momentum of research on the impact of informal institutions on corporate behavior in recent years, few studies probe the effect of an “awe culture” on corporate behavior. Thus, this study explores the economic consequences of the awe culture. It proxies awe culture with regionally induced abortion rates and examines its influence on corporate tax avoidance in China. We document that higher induced abortion rates associate with a higher degree of corporate tax avoidance, confirming that “reverence for life is reverence for rules.” Further, awe culture influences corporate tax avoidance via management opportunism and risk-appetite channels. The conclusions remained intact after an array of robustness tests. Further analysis suggests that the awe culture effect on corporate tax avoidance is insignificant when senior executives or directors have overseas backgrounds or the proportion of female board members is high. However, the effect is more pronounced when firms have high financial constraints, poor internal governance, or weak taxation enforcement. Notably, given that awe culture shapes corporate behavior, listed firms should fully consider and use awe culture in their economic practices.

To evaluate the effects of antidepressant drugs on pregnancy outcomes in a university hospital in Turkey

To assess the effects of antidepressant use on pregnancy outcomes. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey, and comprised pregnant women who were admitted to the Department of Gynaecology between 2008 and 2017 who had been prescribed antidepressant drugs before pregnancy and continued to use them during any week of their respective pregnancies. The women were contacted by telephone after delivery to obtain information about the pregnancy outcomes. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. There were 183 women with a mean age of 31.3 ± 5.3 years (range: 18-44 years). There were congenital defects in the newborn in 11(7.65%) cases. The most commonly used antidepressant group was selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor 138(75.4%), and escitalopram was the most frequently used drug 46(25.1%). Spontaneous abortion rate was higher with escitalopram than the other antidepressants (p=0.062). Induced abortion rate was significantly higher in multidrug users compared to those on a single drug (p<0.05). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor was found to be the most used class of antidepressants during pregnancy due to the low side effects and teratogenic effects. When antidepressant treatment is necessary during pregnancy, a single drug can be more suitable.

10 years evolution of induced abortion practice in Paris region

Abstract Background In France, induced abortion (IA) has first been authorized in 1975. To improve access to abortion care services, several legislative reforms have been adopted with the most recent consisted of removal of the mandatory cooling off period before abortion, reimbursement of all expense related to abortion and approval for midwives to perform medical abortion. All these changes could affect practice of IA. The objective of the present research was to describe the evolution of abortion practices in Paris region from 2007 to 2017 Methods Exhaustive data from Paris region healthcare insurance system was use to account for all abortions performed among women living in this region Results More than 50,000 abortions are performed in Paris region each year, which represents over one-quarter of national IA. This number decreased from 58,319 in 2007 to 52,080 in 2017 and the abortion rate has decreased over the past decade (19 IA per 1000 reproductive age women in 2007 and 17‰ in 2017). However, there was found territorial disparity with higher rate of abortion in the lower incomes municipalities (22‰ in the poorer Paris region municipality in 2017). This rate remained higher among women aged 18-34 (27.8‰ in 2007 vs 24.6‰ in 20017). Abortion methods have shifted over the years, with increase of medical abortion (47% in 2007 vs 67% in 2017) and decrease of surgical abortion. The analyses have also shown that the average gestational age at the time of abortion decreased with 65% of abortion performed before 9 weeks of amenorrhea in 2007 and 80% in 2017. There rate of abortion performed by liberal practitioners increased from 15% in 2007 to 33% in 2017 Conclusions The measures such as removing the mandatory cooling-off period, increasing number of medical professional involved in abortion have improved access to abortion care services result in much early IA and higher rate of medical abortion. Improved access to contraception might partly explain the decline in IA rate over time Key messages Legislative reforms such as removing the mandatory cooling-off period have improved access to abortion care services. In this last decade, abortion among Paris women are performed much early and there are increasing number of medical professional involved in abortion.

Neonatal outcome of children born after ICSI with epididymal or testicular sperm: A 10-year study in China

Some studies show that children born after ICSI with non-ejaculated sperm are at increased risk of birth defects, other studies hold the opposite view. Does neonatal outcome including congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) differ from neonatal outcome in children born after ICSI with ejaculated sperm? In this study, we examined the data from our IVF center from 2006 to 2016, to compare neonatal outcomes and rates of congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with different sperm origin. The results showed the clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate of non-ejaculated sperm group were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than ejaculated sperm group. There were 775 clinical pregnancies from non-ejaculated sperm group and 2,486 clinical pregnancies from ejaculated sperm group. Most of the clinical pregnancy outcomes were comparable between non-ejaculated sperm group and ejaculated sperm group (p > 0.05): the miscarriage rate per transfer, ectopic pregnancy rate per clinical pregnancy, induced abortion rate per clinical pregnancy and fetal deaths per clinical pregnancy. However, the live delivery rate per transfer of non-ejaculated sperm group was significantly higher than that of ejaculated sperm group (45.4% vs 36.7%, P < 0.001). Moreover, the comparison between the epididymal sperm, testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm groups showed there were no difference in the incidence of congenital malformations of babies live birth. Among singleton gestation live births, there were more girls than boys in both non-ejaculated sperm and ejaculated sperm group. In conclusion, the present study clearly showed no statistical increased risk in neonatal outcomes of newborns were found in the ICSI treatment with epididymal or testicular sperm. It may provide information for consultation for ICSI treatment in PESA or TESA patients.

Induced abortion and gender (in)equality in Europe: A panel analysis

Induced abortion is a worldwide practice and its legalisation is a persistent demand of the women’s movement. Although in the academic literature there are numerous studies that address the study of fertility, nowhere near as much attention has been given to the analysis of induced abortion and its determining factors, and even less to the consideration of gender equality as a variable through which to understand it. This article focuses on the influence of gender equality on the rate of induced abortion in different European countries. To that end the authors have constructed an econometric panel data model with information from 26 European countries for the period 2006–2011. They have analysed comparative indicators of the gender gap in terms of education, employment and wages. In addition, they have taken into account sociodemographic covariables such as the average age of motherhood, the migration rate and the percentage of births to unmarried mothers in each country. Also, as contextual factors the authors used the Human Development Index and an indicator of the legislation on abortion in the countries studied, as well as the percentage of the population who identify as having religious beliefs. The results show that the induced abortion rate is conditioned not only by national legislation on abortion, but also by gender (in)equalities, specifically that as gender inequality decreases, so too does the frequency of induced abortions. These findings have clear political implications, showing as they do how improvements in the status of women, particularly with respect to their social and economic rights, impact on women’s reproductive decisions.

Trends in Induced Abortions in Greece: A Cross-sectional Study.

Teenage pregnancies and associated induced abortions represent an important public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, the time trends, and associated factors of teenage induced abortions in Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and2019. Third Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. All pregnant women who underwent a second trimester anomaly scan were eligible for the study. Epidemiological characteristics were recorded and 5 age groups were created. Trends in the rates of teenage induced abortions were analyzed and we compared several parameters between women with and without history of abortions. Overall, 3370 women were eligible and agreed to participate in the study. The prevalence of women who reported a history of at least 1 abortion at 15-19years was 9.7% (n=328/3370). The abortion rates across the 5 age groups were: 20-24: 7.5%; 25-29: 8.4%; 30-34: 8.2%; 35-39: 12%; and 40years and older: 13.9%. Moreover, a history of 1 or more teenage abortions was more common in multiparous women (58.2% vs 46.5%; P<.001; odds ratio, 1.605; 95% confidence interval, 1.274-2.022) and in current smokers (27.4% vs 11%; P<.001; odds ratio, 3.066; 95% confidence interval, 2.346-4.008). A significant decline in the teenage induced abortion rates was identified in the study population. A history of teenage induced abortion was associated with smoking and multiparity. More efforts are needed to provide appropriate education on effective contraception and family planning.

Changes in the Use of Contraceptive Methods and Their Correlation with Induced Abortion Rates in Spain between 2007 and 2016

Changes in the Use of Contraceptive Methods and Their Correlation with Induced Abortion Rates in Spain between 2007 and 2016