Induced abortions by woman’s country of origin in Finland 2001–2014

Abstract

Aims: Understanding the differences in reproductive-health behaviours between native and migrant populations helps provide good reproductive-health services. We investigate the differences in induced abortion rates, pregnancy histories and use of contraceptives between native and migrant populations in Finland. Methods: The Finnish Register on Induced Abortions was linked with Population Register data from years 2001–2014 to identify first- and second-generation immigrants. The data included 142,708 induced abortions. Results: Abortion and contraceptive use varied between women of Finnish and foreign origins. Native women had a lower abortion rate than women born abroad. Women born in Somalia and India had the highest likelihood for having an abortion shortly after birth. The highest risk for having an abortion soon after previous induced abortion was among women born in Iran, Iraq, Somalia and former Yugoslavia. The risk for having more than two induced abortions was the highest for women born in Russia/the former Soviet Union and Estonia. Second-generation immigrants had a lower abortion rate than first-generation immigrants. Lack of contraceptive use prior to abortion was more common among women born abroad. Conclusion: There were differences in pregnancy histories and in the use of reliable contraceptive methods before an induced abortion by country of birth. The higher likelihood for abortion after a recent birth among first-generation immigrants highlights the need for more targeted counselling immediately after childbirth. Although the abortion rate is lower among second-generation immigrants, the neglect of contraceptive use calls for additional education in sexual and reproductive health.

Induced abortions of women living with HIV in Finland 1987–2019: a national register study

“…delivery in the data 22 37 42 Abortions of WLWH with prev. delivery in the data 35 54 57 Undiagnosed HIV/1000 induced abortions 0.23 0.43 0.57 a To ensure all who had an induced abortion would have been diagnosed before study end-point b Data from THL open data [ 19 ] c Measured in Finland 0–90 days after HIV diagnosis d Used thresholds based on Lodi et al, [ 18 ] CD4+ cell count at diagnosis → estimated time since transmission for 5 year-limit: ≥500 → 6 months, 350–499 → 1 year, 200–349 → 3 years, < 200 → 5 years for 10-year-limit: ≥500 → 1 year, 350–499 → 3 years, 200–349 → 8 years, < 200 → 10 years for 15-year-limit: ≥ 500 → 2 years, 350–499 → 6 years, 200–349 → 12 years, < 200 → 15 years e Calculated by roughly estimated proportions from [ 16 , 20 ]: 8% for 5 year limit, 7% for 10 year limit, 6% for 15 year limit …”

“…e Calculated by roughly estimated proportions from [ 16 , 20 ]: 8% for 5 year limit, 7% for 10 year limit, 6% for 15 year limit…”

“…We also evaluated the prevalence for some subgroups: women not born in Finland, women with previous induced abortions, and women with previous deliveries. The total of induced abortions performed for these subgroups was estimated from THL open data [ 19 ] for previous pregnancies and from articles by Malin et al [ 20 ] and Heino et al [ 16 ] for women not born in Finland.…”

“…In Finland, an indication is needed for induced abortion but 95% of abortions are performed on social indications [ 16 ]. Induced abortion is widely available and inexpensive in public health care.…”

Induced abortion according to immigrants’ birthplace: a population-based cohort study

“…Ours is one of a handful of studies examining abortion among immigrants residing in high-income countries [23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Smaller studies with less diverse populations of immigrants from Finland [23] and Norway [29] also found higher rates of induced abortion among immigrants compared to non-immigrants. In our study, immigrants from most world-regions were less likely to have an abortion after the 1st birth compared to prior to the 1st birth, with more variability prior to the 3rd birth.…”