FACTORS OF NON-USE OF CONTRACEPTION IN PATIENTS PRESENTING FOR INDUCED ABORTION

Abstract

Objective:

To explore the factors associated with the non-use of contraceptives among women seeking to undergo induced abortion in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study:

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit II, at Bhatti International Teaching Hospital, Kasur, during the period of August 2021 to January 2022.

Methodology:

A total of 250 married women aged 18–40 years with a gestational age ranging between 8–16 weeks seeking for induced abortion were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Women with spontaneous miscarriages or therapeutic abortions were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were reported as mean±SD. Chi-square test was used to assess association, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The participants had a mean age of 28.4 years ± 6.8 and a mean BMI of 26.7 ± 3.9. Fear of side effects (20.4%), misconceptions (20.8%), dislike from husband (19.2%), lack of awareness (21.2%), and lack of access (29.2%) were the major reasons for non-use of contraception. Gravidity and parity had significant associations with previous abortion (p < 0.001) and with dislike from husband (p = 0.001). Level of education was significantly associated with misconceptions (p < 0.001). Socioeconomic status had significant associations with lack of access (p < 0.001) and lack of awareness (p = 0.035).

Conclusion:

Higher gravidity and higher parity, lower educational status, and a lower socioeconomic class were significant determinants of contraceptive non-use.