Role of Induced Abortion in Attaining Reproductive Goals in Kyrgyzstan: A Study Based on KRDHS-1997

Abstract

Estimates indicate that about 42 million pregnancies are voluntarily terminated every year at the global level, of which more than 80% occur in developing countries. Abortion has been one of the major reproductive health concerns in post-Soviet nations, especially when it is commonly used as a means of fertility regulation. On average, every woman has had around 1.6 abortions in Kyrgyzstan. This paper attempts to measure the role of abortion in fertility regulation using data from the Kyrgyz Republic Demographic and Health Survey (KRDHS), 1997. The analysis reveals that Kyrgyzstan can attain replacement level fertility in the absence of induced abortion by raising the contraceptive prevalence to 70% at the current level of effectiveness. The study also shows that women's attitude towards becoming pregnant and their partner's perception about abortion are significantly associated with the propensity to opt for an induced abortion. Reproductive health programmes need to address these issues, including the enhancement of male involvement in family planning.

Men’s involvement in women’s abortion-related care: a scoping review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries

“…Study contexts were predominantly located in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The largest sample size of the studies used Demographic and Health Survey data, which surveyed 3848 women in Kyrgyzstan 40 and was the only nationally representative sample used. 23/37 studies used samples recruited in or referred from health facility lists (including pharmacies, abortion providers, post-abortion care facilities).…”

“… 49 An analysis of the Kyrgyzstan Demographic and Health Survey, which had a sample of 3848 women aged 15–49, suggests that men’s attitude towards abortion was significantly associated with the likelihood of a woman obtaining an induced abortion. 40 However, among 142 university students in Ghana, women reported that their own beliefs, including religious beliefs, were important in their abortion decision-making, and that their partner’s and peers’ views were less influential. 70 …”

Fertility, marriage age, and contraceptive use in Central Asia and North Africa: a comparative study

“…Shekhar et al examined the potential intent of women to use contraceptives after having their first child. The researchers discovered that to reduce fertility, it is needed to increase the awareness of using contraceptives among women and their partners in Kyrgyzstan [Shekhar et al, 2010]. However, in line with Islam, it is revealed that access to contraceptives is associated with marriage [Meyer, 2011].…”

A Place for Women Only: Health, Healing and the Divine at an Islamic Shrine in Central Asia

“…Since independence in 1991, induced abortion has become more common among rural Uzbek and Kyrgyz populations. 19 In a study of abortion in Kyrgyzstan published in 2010, Chander Shekhar, T. V. Sekher, and Alina Sulaimanova explain that ' … excessive reliance on induced abortion affects a woman's health and her chances of further childbearing adversely, and contributes to maternal and perinatal mortality'. 20 Other negative impacts on Kyrgyz women's fertility include congenital conditions such as uterine defects and failure to ovulate as well as untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs).…”