What are the social correlates of subsequent abortions in Flanders, Belgium?

Abstract

Objective: To study whether the social correlates of subsequent abortions vary depending on the order of the abortion.Methodology: Drawing upon the Flemish abortion centers' anonymized patient records (2010-2019), discrete-time hazard models were used to examine whether individual abortion experiences across women's reproductive life course have different social correlates.Results: Overall, women who were in their twenties, of foreign origin, single, had non-tertiary education, were not in paid employment, had children, did not (consistently and without errors) use contraception and had a previous abortion through medication, had an elevated probability to experience subsequent abortions. While single women and women with a vulnerable socioeconomic status were more likely to have a second or third abortion, this difference is no longer prevalent when considering higher-order abortions. The hazard for higher-order abortions was more pronounced in women with a migration background, regardless of the order considered. Contraceptive use was unrelated to fourth or higher-order abortions. Conclusion:Using discrete-time hazard models, we unpack individual abortion experiences across women's reproductive life courses. By studying the transitions into different orders of subsequent abortions separately, we provide a more detailed understanding of risk factors compared to other European studies. The social correlates vary by the order considered: A certain profile emerges for women who have a second or third abortion, but disintegrates when considering higher-order abortions. This knowledge enables clinicians and policymakers to better understand women who experience subsequent abortions and to tailor services best suited to their needs.

Reasons of women who undergone repeat induced abortion; in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021: A phenomenological qualitative study

“…Having denying or irresponsible partner is more related with unstable relationship status and being unmarried. This nding is related with previous studies done in Kenya and Belgium which reported marital status is closely associated with repeat induced abortion; and unmarried women have increased risk of having multiple abortion (22,23). Previous study conducted in Ethiopia and Tunisia also found that being unmarried and separated from husband (being single) are main reasons to undergo multiple termination of pregnancy (14,16,18).…”

Reasons of women who undergone repeat induced abortion; in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia, 2021: A phenomenological qualitative study

“…This nding is related with previous studies done in Kenya and Belgium which reported marital status is closely associated with repeat induced abortion; and unmarried women have increased risk of having multiple abortion (22,23). Previous study conducted in Ethiopia and Tunisia also found that being unmarried and separated from husband (being single) are main reasons to undergo multiple termination of pregnancy (14,16,18).…”