[Induced abortion among prostitutes: a survey using the ballot-box technique in Teresina-Piauí]

This study assesses the prevalence of induced abortion among prostitutes and lists the most common abortion practices. A survey was conducted with 310 prostitutes between 18 and 39 years of age, by sampling age quotas in the 5 territorial areas of Teresina in the state of Piauí. Data collection was conducted through the use of 2 questionnaires: the first, by the ballot-box technique, with questions about abortion; the second, completed by the researcher, with socio-demographic information. The practice of abortion was reported by 163 (52.6%) women. Most prostitutes performed 1 abortion (50.3%), but 16.5% of them reported carrying out 3 or more. Misoprostol was used alone in 68.1% of the reports and associated with tea and/or probes in 9.2%, followed by tea in 13.4%, probes in 3.7%, and uterine curettage in unregulated clinics in 3.7%. There was post-abortion hospitalization in 47.8% of the cases. After adjustment of the multiple logistic regression model, the variable that remained significantly associated with abortion was to have had 3 or more pregnancies. These results revealed that induced abortion is an event of great prevalence among prostitutes in Teresina. Misoprostol is the most common method to abort and hospitalization was necessary in almost half of cases.