Lifetime Prevalence of Abortion in 10–53-Year-Old Females in Isfahan Province and Its Determinants: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Authors
Mahboubeh Hojati
Marjan Mansourian
Shahrokh Izadi
10.61186/ibj.25th-11th-IACRTIMSS
Abstract
Introduction: Comprehending the prevalence of abortion is vital for gaining insights into reproductive health, demographic trends, and broader impacts on family privacy, psychological well-being, and healthcare costs. This study aimed to ascertain the lifetime prevalence of both spontaneous and induced abortions among women aged 10 to 53 in Isfahan province and to identify associated factors.

Methods and Materials: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan province in 2024. The target population consisted of women of reproductive age (10 to 53 years) residing in Isfahan. A multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used, and 3000 women were interviewed. To investigate factors related to abortion, the Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and multiple logistic regression were employed.

Results: A total of 670 women, accounting for 22.2% (95% CI: 22.04%-25.24%), reported having had an abortion at some point in their lives, with 19.4% reporting spontaneous abortions and 3.9% reporting induced ones. The study found significant associations between abortion and various factors, including age, spouse’s age, spouse’s occupation, education, number of children, relationship status of the couples, duration between marriage and cohabitation, use of birth control methods, and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the logistic regression analysis revealed that increasing age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06) was associated with higher odds of having had a previous abortion.

Conclusion and Discussion: The findings from this study shed light on the urgent need for multifaceted approaches to tackle the prevalent rate of abortion. It is crucial to implement educational programs, provide strong family support, and improve accessibility to health services as vital components of a holistic strategy aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes.



Keywords
Cross-sectional study
Iran
Prevalence