title: Living conditions, contraceptive use and the choice of induced abortion among pregnant women in Denmark.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study describes women with induced abortion and thereby elucidates how living conditions and contraceptive failure are associated with the choice of induced abortion in a population of Danish pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of pregnant women attending Odense University Hospital. They were categorized in two groups: women with induced abortion (n = 373) and a reference group consisting of women with spontaneous abortion and antenatal care attendees (n = 2,176). The two groups were compared by use of a case-referent design. The variables studied comprise age, number of children, partner relationship, education, occupation, economical situation, and contraceptive use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Being single, aged 15-24 or 35 and above, having either no children or two or more children, and the experience of contraceptive failure were parameters which were associated with the choice of induced abortion. Among married/cohabiting women aged 20-39 with fewer than two children, being under education, unemployed, on leave, or willing to invest effort in obtaining a more satisfying job influenced the choice of induced abortion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To reduce the number of induced abortions, it should be recognized that many women both want to establish a family with the number of children they wish for and to have a satisfying job with influence and challenge.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark. v.rasch@dadlnct.dk
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rasch
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wielandt
authors.forename: Lisbeth B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Knudsen
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors