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  • Title: [Why does a woman decide on a abortion?].
    Author: Rautanen E, Widholm O, Ruusuvaara L, Kantero RL.
    Journal: Duodecim; 1980; 96(20):1328-36. PubMed ID: 7227238.
    Abstract:
    This study consists of 99 patients, all over age 18, who chose an induced abortion (group 1) and 100 patients who delivered a full-term baby (group 2). The mean age was 26.0 years in the abortion group and 26.4 years in the delivery group. Of those in group 1, 33 were married and of those who delivered their baby, 75 were married and 25 gave birth to a child out-of-wedlock. The difference is social background between the groups is statistically highly significant (p0.001). Only 3% of women in group 1 belonged to the 4 highest strata of society as compared with 26 in group 2. The previous use of contraceptive methods was similar in both groups. However, there was a clear difference between the 2 groups in the pattern of their relationship with the other sex. The patients in the abortion group had their 1st intercourse significantly earlier (p0.01). In the abortion group, 12% had their 1st coitus prior to age 15 and 46% before the age of 18. The corresponding percentages in the delivery group were 2% and 29%. The women in the abortion group had more partners than the women in the delivery group. The most common motivations for abortion were economic difficulties alone or together with poor housing conditions. These were responsible for 36% of the abortions in the case of married women and in 48% when the women were not married. In the group of unmarried women, 12% had not completed their education and therefore wished to have an abortion. Among the married women, 9% stated that the sexual partner in the intercourse leading to the present pregnancy was not their husband, thus the motivation to have the abortion. The number of previous children was not reported to be a reason for abortion. The women who decided to deliver the baby considered their marriages very happy (more than 2/3) or at least fairly happy. The patient's own childhood did not affect the decision in favor of or against abortion in this group of women. The decision was influenced by the actual life situation and thus this finding differs from the previous studies on adolescent abortions. (author's modified)
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