Factors associated with induced abortion over time: secondary data analysis of five waves of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Abstract

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.

Physical and mental health of women exposed to intimate partner violence in the 10 years after having their first child: an Australian prospective cohort study of first-time mothers

“…24 25 Few populationbased studies report prospective data on IPV collected over more than two waves of follow-up. [26][27][28][29][30] Within these studies, long-term follow-up including repeated measurement of IPV extending over periods greater than 5 years is rare. 27 30 Third, as noted by Bacchus et al, there has been a tendency for studies to focus on mental health outcomes, and hence, less is known about physical health or comorbid physical and mental health symptoms in the context of IPV.…”

Termination of pregnancy in Queensland post-decriminalisation: a content analysis of client records from an all-options pregnancy counselling organisation

“…Pregnancy is a time when IPV may escalate or change, 35 and IPV also hinders reproductive autonomy and financial security for people seeking ToP in Australia. 23 Likewise, the process of making a decision about a pregnancy may create opportunities to connect a pregnant person with supportive services, and act as a catalyst for them to escape a violent relationship. 36 Our study suggests that these factors remain a barrier despite ToP decriminalisation.…”

“…21 A few Australian quantitative studies provide valuable insights into ToP health consumer characteristics and demographics. 22,23 However, these studies do not examine the nuances of the post-decriminalisation context and overlook the perspective of priority groups at increased risk of social disadvantage and often left out of current ToP discourse such as persons experiencing violence, persons in rural locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse populations including migrant, refugee and asylum seekers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex (LGBTQIA+), and additional gender, sexual and romantic minority identities (collectively referred hereafter as 'priority populations'). Previous Queensland research has focused on the effectiveness of and demand for EMA and the historical impacts of criminalisation.…”

The Presence and Consequences of Abortion Aversion in Scientific Research Related to Alcohol Use during Pregnancy

“…There is clear evidence that denying women abortions leads to more economic insecurity, worse short term physical health, and to violence from the man involved in the pregnancy, and that abortion is safer than childbirth [72,73,74,75]. Despite this evidence, public health agencies [76] and public health researchers often treat abortion as a negative outcome that should be prevented [77,78].…”