Do Women Presenting for First and Second‑Trimester Abortion Differ Socio‑Demographically?

Author(s):

Aggarwal P, Agarwal P, Zutshi V, Batra S

Background: To identify the socioâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?demographic differences between a sample of women who present for firstâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester and secondâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortion. Aim: To determine whether women presenting late (in the second trimester) for abortion differ socioâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?demographically from those presenting early (in the first trimester). Materials and Methods: Data over 4 years for women presenting for secondâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortion were collected from the records of Family Planning Clinic at a public tertiary level teaching hospital in India. EightyâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?four cases were analysed. The case presenting for firstâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortion after each secondâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortion was included for comparison. Information was gathered concerning age, parity, educational background, employment status, educational background of the husband, family expenditure and religion. Data were statistically analysed and significance determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: SecondâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortions represented 2% (84/4254) of all abortions in the study period. More women of higher age (P = 0.03) and parity (P = 0.02) and higher educational status (P = 0.04) presented for secondâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortion as compared to firstâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortion. The occupational status of the woman, husband’s educational background, monthly family expenditure per person and religion did not significantly influence the time of presentation for abortion. Conclusion: SecondâÃ?Â?Ã?Â?trimester abortions are associated with both increasing age and parity and higher education. This group of educated, older and multiparous women should be one of those targeted for counseling to reduce the risks associated with second trimester abortion.