Investigating the factors associated with induced abortion in six nations from the global south

In many low- and middle-income countries, abortion is an important part of fertility control for unintended pregnancies, even when it is technically illegal. Yet, we have relatively little information on the cross-national personal characteristics associated with the odds that a woman will obtain an abortion.

We merge six Demographic and Health country surveys (i.e., India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Albania) to examine the correlates of individual-level factors and abortion decisions in the last five years. By assessing a set of diverse lower income nations across the world, we can see if the factors we think would matter based on prior research (i.e., education, economic standing, number of children, urbanicity, and religion) are important for explaining abortion decision-making across these societies.

Education and number of children appear to be robust and important risk factors for abortion behaviors. We find fewer associations between personal economic standing, urbanicity, and religion.

Women across nations do not face the same barriers in accessing abortion, and do not have the same drivers in obtaining one. Country-specific policies need to developed.