Open AccessCharacteristics of women with repeat termination of pregnancy: a study of all requests for pregnancy termination in Norway during 2007–2011
Author(s) -
JustadBerg Ragnhild T.,
Eskild Anne,
StrømRoum Ellen M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12714
Subject(s) - pregnancy , medicine , obstetrics , odds ratio , gynecology , pregnancy termination , gestation , family planning , norwegian , abortion , logistic regression , population , research methodology , linguistics , philosophy , genetics , environmental health , biology
We studied the proportion of all pregnancy terminations requested by women with a history of pregnancy termination. We also studied risk factors for repeat pregnancy termination. Material and methods We used data from the Norwegian Register of Pregnancy Termination during the period 2007–2011, a total of 80 346 requests for pregnancy termination before the end of the 12th gestational week. Odds ratios for repeat pregnancy termination were estimated according to age, parity, contraceptive use, marital status, education, employment status and region of residency by applying logistic regression analyses. Repeat pregnancy termination was defined as request for pregnancy termination for the second time or more. Results Among the 80 346 requests for pregnancy termination, 36.7% were among women with a history of pregnancy termination. In total, 25.0% had one prior termination and 11.7% had two or more. Factors associated with repeat pregnancy termination were; age ≥25 years, having one or more children, and use of contraception at the time of conception. College/university education as compared with primary school only, was associated with reduced risk of repeat termination. Conclusion Among all requests for pregnancy termination in Norway, 36.7% were from women with a history of pregnancy termination. Many women with repeat pregnancy termination have children and/or used contraception at the time of conception. Our findings therefore suggest that high fecundity is an underlying risk factor for repeat pregnancy termination.