Gestation Period, Abortion Care Practices, and Post-Abortion Complications in India

This chapter explores the socio-demographic and geographical factors influencing abortion care and post-abortion complications in India. The study examines women aged 15–49 who had induced abortions within the 5 years before the survey (n = 5835), using descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression analyses. The findings reveal significant disparities in abortion care across different socioeconomic and regional groups, with limited access to services for women without formal education and those from lower wealth quintiles. The analysis also shows higher incidences of self-induced abortions in the eastern, central, and northern regions, underscoring the regional inequalities in access to safe abortion services. The preference for non-health facilities, particularly among economically disadvantaged women and those with shorter gestation periods, underscores reliance on informal healthcare. Medication usage for abortion reflects socio-economic nuances, prevalent among women aged 20–34 and those from poor wealth quintiles. However, a decreasing likelihood with a gestation period exceeding 12 weeks suggests evolving preferences during different pregnancy phases. The inclination of women above 20 years to choose non-health facilities, alongside regional variations, highlights complex decision-making influenced by age and geography. Post-abortion complications are linked to the choice of abortion method, with MVA methods posing a higher risk. Education emerges as a protective factor against complications, underscoring the need for comprehensive reproductive health education. The study underscores intricate relationships between abortion care providers, methods, and gestation periods, calling for targeted interventions to address disparities, improve professional care access, and enhance reproductive health education in India.