Incidence of induced abortion determined by the randomised response technique.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidence of induced abortion using the randomised response technique, and to compare the results with estimates obtained by direct questioning.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Medical Officer of Health area, Homagama.


METHODS
Married women in the reproductive age group.


RESULTS
The annual incidence of induced abortion for the three year period 1988 to 1990 was 15.7 per 1000 married women of the reproductive age group as estimated by the randomised response technique. Direct questioning led to 30.5% under-reporting of induced abortion. The application of the method failed only in 8.1% of the population studied.


CONCLUSIONS
The randomised response technique is a feasible method to use in our population and provides the best estimates of induced abortion.
Rajapaksa
L C
LC
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo.
Perera
D C
DC
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013188:Sri Lanka