Trends in Induced Abortions in Greece: A Cross-sectional Study

Teenage pregnancies and associated induced abortions represent an important public health issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, the time trends, and associated factors of teenage induced abortions in Greece.

A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2019.

Third Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

All pregnant women who underwent a second trimester anomaly scan were eligible for the study.

Epidemiological characteristics were recorded and 5 age groups were created. Trends in the rates of teenage induced abortions were analyzed and we compared several parameters between women with and without history of abortions.

Overall, 3370 women were eligible and agreed to participate in the study. The prevalence of women who reported a history of at least 1 abortion at 15-19 years was 9.7% (n = 328/3370). The abortion rates across the 5 age groups were: 20-24: 7.5%; 25-29: 8.4%; 30-34: 8.2%; 35-39: 12%; and 40 years and older: 13.9%. Moreover, a history of 1 or more teenage abortions was more common in multiparous women (58.2% vs 46.5%; P < .001; odds ratio, 1.605; 95% confidence interval, 1.274-2.022) and in current smokers (27.4% vs 11%; P < .001; odds ratio, 3.066; 95% confidence interval, 2.346-4.008).

A significant decline in the teenage induced abortion rates was identified in the study population. A history of teenage induced abortion was associated with smoking and multiparity. More efforts are needed to provide appropriate education on effective contraception and family planning.