Risk factors for repeat elective abortion

Repeat abortions account for 48% of all induced abortions in the United States. This study aims to identify correlates of repeat abortion in a US clinic.

This cross-sectional study investigates a consecutive sample of 398 women who received elective abortion in an urban hospital. All participants answered demographic, reproductive, and other questions.

Older women were more likely to have had a previous abortion than teenagers (odds ratio for women 20-29 years old, 2.9 [95% CI, 1.5-5.7]; odds ratio for women >or=30 years old, 6.7 [95% CI, 2.8-16.0]). Alcohol/drug abuse (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.3) also correlated with increased odds of previous abortion. Depo medroxyprogesterone acetate use approached a significant association (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.0-10.5).

The associations between both alcohol/drug abuse and depo medroxyprogesterone acetate use and repeat abortion are new findings. Future studies are needed to identify modifiable risk factors for repeat abortion and to identify populations in which interventions, such as long-term contraception, may lower the risk.