Factors associated with seeking post-abortion care among women in Guangzhou, China

In China, the vast majority of induced abortions are performed in public hospitals. However, post-abortion care (PAC) services are provided through the national network of family planning clinics, which are independent of the health care system. The integration of PAC services into abortion clinics in public hospitals is a new concept. This study aimed to assess PAC utilization among abortion patients, and identify the possible factors associated with PAC uptake in Guangzhou, China.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 431 women aged 15-43 years in Tianhe district of Guangzhou, China from June to September 2018. We estimated multivariate logistic regression model to examine the factors associated with utilization of PAC services.

Less than half (42%) of the participants used PAC services. Married women were 2.7 times significantly more likely to use PAC services than their unmarried counterparts. Immigrants were 52% significantly less likely to use PAC services than non-immigrants. Women who perceived that their fertility could return later and those who did not know were 45 and 61% significantly less likely to use PAC services compared to those who knew that their fertility could return soon after an abortion. Women with limited decision-making autonomy regarding contraceptive use were 54% significantly less likely to use PAC services than those who made such decisions themselves.

The findings suggest the need for policies and programs to not only strengthen the provision of PAC services but also promote uptake among disadvantaged sub-groups of women in the study setting.