[Voluntary interruption of pregnancy in Italy, 1979-1989: analysis of the available data]

This paper presents crude rates (per 1000 women aged 15-49 years) and ratios (per 1000 livebirths) of induced abortion in Italy, North-Central and South Italy and within subgroups of women according to general and social characteristics. Incidence of induced abortion has diminished of 30% between 1982 and 1989, although this decrement is less marked in the South. Women between 30 and 34 years reported more induced abortions than those of other ages, but they present--together with women aged from 20 to 29--a more important decrease of their rates (from 25 induced abortions/1000 women in 1982 to 19/1000 in 1987). On the other hand, there is no decrease in rates and there is some increase in ratios in women aged 40-49 years. Married women have a greater incidence, but also a greater reduction of rates and ratios than not married women. A high level of education is related to high rates and ratios in early 80's, but these values have shown an important decrease in the period 1982-1987. Frequency of induced abortion is higher in women with two children than in other groups of women. In the frame of general decrement of induced abortion incidence, women with higher values in early 80's have shown greater reductions in the last ten years.