Almost 40% of all induced abortions in Sweden are repeat induced abortions; however, there is limited knowledge about risk factors. The object of this presentation is to investigate risk factors among women and men with repeat abortion. A Swedish cross-sectional study; 590 men (range 16-63 yrs); 798 women (range 14-49 yrs) involved in an abortion during 2009. A questionnaire was used and a regression model examined risk factors associated with repeat abortion (SPSS 17.0).
One-third had been involved in at least one previous abortion. Risk factors for repeat abortion among women; previous children (OR 2.57), lack of emotional support (OR 2.09), unemployment or sick leave (OR 1.65), tobacco use (OR 1.56), and low educational level (OR 1.5). Risk factors among men; age range 25-29 years (OR 3.72), victimised of violence or abuse over the past year (OR 2.62), unemployment or sick leave (OR 2.58), and previous children (OR 2.00). Some considered that economic support and work opportunities might have enabled them to continue the pregnancy. Increased sex and relationship education (SRE), easy/free access to high-quality contraceptives and counselling, were suggested interventions for preventing unintended pregnancies
A large proportion of abortion seeking women (35%) and the involved male partner (32%) have experienced previous abortion and they appear more socio-economic disadvantaged than those who experienced their first abortion. This vulnerability may hinder the motivation and ability to practise safe sex. When applying these findings to public health work, welfare systems designed to narrow the gap between different socio-economic groups become important, such as increased work opportunity, SRE, subsidised contraceptives, and easy access to counselling with follow-up visits.