Estimates of induced abortion in urban and rural Sri Lanka

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of induced abortion during the year 1998. The present study quantifies for the first time, the extent of the problem of induced abortion in Sri Lanka. Methodology: A survey was conducted among women 15 ~ 49 years old, living in 10,000 households sampled to represent the urban and rural populations of all provinces of the country, other than the Northeastern province. A total of 12,168 women were interviewed. This consisted of 94.2%of all women in the 15-49 age group, living in the households selected for the survey. The Randomised Response Technique was used to estimate the incidence of induced abortion during the year 1998. This method ensures anonymity in estimating induced abortion rates.Results: The abortion rate for the year 1998 was estimated to be 45/1000 women of 15-19 years of age (95% C.L 38/1000 — 52/1000), and 13/1000 population (95% C.L. 11/1000 - 15/1000), The total abortion rate was estimated as 1.6 (95% CLL. 1.06-2.18), for women of15-49 years. For currently married women it was estimated to be 1.9 (95% C.L. 1.2-2.6). Induced abortion rates were noted to be low among the unmarried, students and among the adolescent women. It was seen to. Be concentrated largely around the middle of the childbearing years. Married women, those with a low educational level and rural populations were noted to have higher rates of abortion. A high rate of abortion is resorted to space or limit families. The study identifies sub groups in the population who need knowledge, motivation and quality service for the prevention of unplanned pregnancies.