Living conditions, contraceptive use and the choice of induced abortion among pregnant women in Denmark.
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.
Rasch
Vibeke
V
Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark. v.rasch@dadlnct.dk
Wielandt
Hanne
H
Knudsen
Lisbeth B
LB
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