Prevalence of Induced Abortion and Factors Affecting It in Bangladesh

Mohammad A. Islam, Bangladesh Agricultural University
Mohammad Kabir, Jahangirnagar University

The purpose of this article is to investigate the prevalence of induced abortion using the data from the 1999-2000 Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). Analysis of information suggest that among the currently married women 3.71 percent experienced pregnancy termination (abortion) during the last five years, of which 37.5 percent are menstrual regulation and the rest 62.5 percent are induced abortion. Abortions are high within the maternal age 20-34. The average age of performing an abortion is about 29 years . The impact of abortion is also estimated by using Bongaart's Proximate Determinant Model. The index of abortion estimated from the Bongaart's model suggests that about 6 percent fertility is likely to be reduced due to abortion if the survey information is reliable. Linear logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that have significant effect on the women obtained an induced abortion than menstrual regulation.