Self-Reported Complications among Women Seeking Induced Abortion in India: An Evidence from National Family Health Survey (2019-21)

Labhita Das, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Chander Shekhar, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Harihar Sahoo, International Institute For Population Sciences
Sanjay Pal, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Complications from abortions can vary from minor to life-threatening, often resulting from infection due to poor medical practices or pre-existing conditions like cervicitis. This study aims to evaluate the types of abortion service providers and examine the association of complications among Indian women. Using data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, the analysis focused on 8,035 reported induced abortions. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the types of sources and providers, while multivariate logistic regression examined the association of abortion complications. The study revealed that 12.5% of abortions occurred in the second trimester, and 56.2% of these were carried out at private health facilities. Only 20% of women sought care at public facilities, with doctors being the primary providers in 56.7% of cases. Moreover, 14.2% of women who had an abortion reported complications. Women aged 40–49, those from Muslim households, those in the second wealth quintile, and those undergoing second-trimester abortions were significantly more likely to experience complications, with odds ratios of 1.63, 1.34, 1.22, and 1.65, respectively. These findings emphasize the need to improve access to public healthcare services to reduce complications and ensure safer abortions for women in India.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Family Planning and Contraception, Health and Morbidity, Fertility

See extended abstract.