Factors associated with induced abortion over time: secondary data analysis of five waves of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.
OBJECTIVE
A trend analysis of associations with induced abortion.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of the 1973/78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health of women responding to two or more consecutive surveys out of five (N=9,042), using generalised estimating equations.


RESULTS
New abortions dropped from 7% to 2% at surveys 4 and 5. By survey 5, 16% of respondents reported abortions, only 2% of them new. Women aged in their twenties were more likely to terminate a pregnancy if they reported less-effective contraceptives (aOR2.18 CI 1.65-2.89); increased risky drinking (aOR1.65 CI 1.14-2.38); illicit drugs ≤12 months (aOR3.09 CI 2.28-4.19); or recent partner violence (aOR2.42 CI 1.61-3.64). By their thirties, women were more likely to terminate if they reported violence (aOR2.16 CI 1.31-3.56) or illicit drugs <12 months (aOR2.69 CI 1.77-4.09). Women aspiring to be fully- (OR1.58 CI 1.37-1.83) or self-employed (OR1.28 CI 1.04-1.57), with no children (OR1.41 CI 1.14-1.75) or further educated (OR 2.08 CI 1.68-2.57) were more likely to terminate than other women.


CONCLUSIONS
Abortion remains strongly associated with factors affecting women's control over reproductive health such as partner violence and illicit drug use. Implications for public health: Healthcare providers should inquire about partner violence and illicit drug use among women seeking abortion, support women experiencing harm and promote effective contraception.
['Taft|Angela J|AJ|', 'Powell|Rhonda L|RL|', 'Watson|Lyndsey F|LF|', 'Lucke|Jayne C|JC|', 'Mazza|Danielle|D|', 'McNamee|Kathleen|K|']
D000028:Abortion, Induced D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000428:Alcohol Drinking D001315:Australia D003267:Contraception D003268:Contraception Behavior D005260:Female D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D008137:Longitudinal Studies D011247:Pregnancy D012747:Sexual Partners D013179:Spouse Abuse D016387:Women's Health
contraception partner violence Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health psychosocial abortion substance abuse