Association between the use of free-of-charge intrauterine devices and a history of induced abortion: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background To determine whether use of intrauterine device (IUD) is influenced by a history of induced abortion and the type of contraceptives used until costs are covered. Methods We analyzed data from 301 female residents in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, an economically challenged community. The women, aged between 20 and 35 years, were entitled to receive unemployment benefits, and had access to free-of-charge oral contraceptives, ring or IUD. Cross-sectional data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results There were 112 (37.2%) women with a history of induced abortion, and 46 (15.3%) reported exclusively using less effective contraceptives (e.g. condoms). In a univariate logistic regression, use of an IUD was associated with a history of having had an induced abortion. Furthermore, uptake of an IUD was associated with women who had, until costs were covered, exclusively choice to use less effective contraceptives (OR = 3.281, 95% CI: 1.717; 6.273). Both associations remained significant in a multivariate model. Conclusions Free contraceptives provided to women receiving unemployment benefits may increase the use of IUDs, especially among those with a history of an induced abortion and those using less effective contraceptives.

Induced Abortion and Its Predictors Among Hawassa University Female Students

“…Induced abortion is an intentional termination of pregnancy by any means or person other than spontaneous miscarriage [1]. Women usually under-report their abortion experiences, mainly because abortion is a sensitive and controversial issue with religious, moral, cultural, political and scopes other reasons in many countries across the world [2][3][4][5]. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one woman dies every eight minutes due to unsafe abortions; consequently around five million women who undergo unsafe abortions require hospitalization [6][7][8].…”